Tau covered it very well I think...

I just want to add that the groups scheduled throughout the day are usually things like group therapy, groups where you learn coping skills for dealing with bouts of depression, groups where you might discuss medicines so you can ask questions about them, groups where you learn about the illness itself so as to know what to expect...

As I said in another post, part of what the hospital is all about is keeping an eye on you and starting you on a new medication.

A partial hospital or IOP program would have the same kinds of groups and things, and may be just as effective if you are not a danger, don't need to be watched, are compliant taking your meds every day on time yourself, etc. All of those "uncertainty" factors are where it is most important to be actually in the hospital. If you feel so hopeless that you won't take your meds everyday, they will want you in so that they can administer the meds.

Good luck Wants2Fly