I'm sure the hospital and the program matters. I don't know that most people have a choice. I was given a choice of two programs in the ER, I have no idea if the alternative would have been better or worse than the one I had chosen. At the time I wouldn't have even thought to ask or even to think that they might be drastically different.

But my hospitalization experience was much different than yours. Yes waking, sleeping, and eating time were all dictated by the program. But we were made to rise early to begin the program, and the day was filled with therapy, education, learning coping skills, all on a tight schedule. There was little free time available to get "bored". There was free time in the evening to read or converse or use the phone.

My alternative was suicide so the time I spent in the hospital was both frustrating and healing but ultimately saved my life. It:

• Took me away from my immediate stressors while I was in there, giving me time to process them in a safe environment;
• Got me stable on a new medication;
• Taught me a lot of new coping skills and depression management techniques so that I wouldn't flounder when I got out; and
• Helped me with the transition back into the life that the suicidal thoughts had dragged me out of.

After that it was a long road back to health but the hospitalization put me on that path.