I didn't take anything with me but the clothes on my back. My husband brought in some stuff for me the next day, which of course was searched thoroughly. The only thing I didn't get to keep was the bag itself---I guess they thought you could hang yourself with the small cloth handles. There was a tablet at the nurses' station that we could use in the evenings after groups were over for the day, so I didn't feel completely cut off from the outside world. But I couldn't have my iPod or cell phone, and that was hard to adjust to because I'm so used to just picking up my phone and playing on the Internet whenever I feel like it.

Also, don't be surprised when they take away your bottles of shampoo and conditioner, and your shaving cream. They'll dole it out to you in small Dixie cups as you need it. You also have to ask for disposable razors that you turn in after using them. Don't bother taking a mirror---anything with glass is a no-no. No shoelaces, belts, headphones with wires etc. Each place is different, you can always call the facility to find out what's allowed, although by the time a person is desperate enough to check themselves into a psych unit, they're usually not thinking about those details. Good for you for planning ahead.