Good luck! It is scary because you don't know what to expect..and we have all seen it potrayed diff ways in the movies! I don't know aboutr Canada-but in USA as mentioned, it varies depending on comminity hospital with psych ward vs psych hospital. Community hospital will usually have many diagnoses mixed together while trying help everyone sort out which meds they need, control immediate crisis...maybe some therapy. Psych hospital has different units for different issues and activities scheduled throughout the day/therapy related, as well as group therapy meetings and one on one talk- this why they try figure out best meds/doses for you. I was wrongly dx by psych md and therapist outpt-it was inpt/hospital who really listened and sorted it out. In usa it also depends on type of unit if floor lcked/not locked. In us, depending on your condition on arrival is whether or not you admit yourself/voluntary admission-can sign self out or you are committed/admitted by md. I was only inpt-once-and I admitted myself. Meds I was on made me feel crazy after few days and I knew I needed help.
When you are feeling that out of control-inpt is sometimes best. I wore my own clothes, shampoo etc, but no sharp objects allowed. I think I was afraid"everyone would know". In usa its private, thy can't tell anyone, not on your permission list that you are there. I also felt like a failure-don't!!! My fellow pts were from rich to poor and from students to housewives, doctors, nurses, cops, heads of companies, worked at local market, etc-o it can affect anyone, anywhere, anytime..for me, made me feel better!!