I've checked myself in about 15x, usually for suicidal thinking, and I'm so glad I did. It's far better than wrestling with those thoughts 24 hrs. a day. My typical stay was 3 weeks. I'd go home when I was no longer suicidal, or for the last 3x when I'm no longer manic or hallucinating. I knew when I was ready. If you are a danger to others, yet you want to go home, then they will not let you.

The length of stay also depends on the hospital. I know people who stayed at 1 particular hospital (the state hospital) for 6 months, but they were very positive about their experience. Others were not positive at all.

I hope you have a good hospital nearby and that you stay as long as you need help. In my opinion state hospitals are not good.