[Helpmegetbetter]

Got sent to a mental health care facility when the suicidal thoughts became too much. Now I'm wondering if it was such a good idea to get help in the first place. Nothing is changing. I hated the place so much I couldn't help but put on a happy mask to get me out. It was like my worst nightmare. Prison, school, and too many people all squished into one tiny facility. I felt crunched into a place where my freedoms were limited, my fears were everywhere, and my privacy was constantly violated.But I did it for my mom and dad because I knew they'd miss me, more than miss me, they'd never recover from my loss. but I want to get better so badly. I can't talk to the therapist because I don't want to end up in one forever. Is there anything I can do?

[Rohag]

Originally Posted by Helpmegetbetter

Got sent to a mental health care facility . . . Nothing is changing. I hated the place so much I couldn't help but put on a happy mask to get me out. It was like my worst nightmare. Prison, school, and too many people all squished into one tiny facility. I felt crunched into a place where my freedoms were limited, my fears were everywhere, and my privacy was constantly violated.

Thank you, Helpmegetbetter. That's enlightening. Last year my long-time psychiatrist told me my local mental health facility (VA in my case) would "not be therapeutic" for me. That information has reshaped my thinking about how to handle any future "unsafe" emergencies.

Perhaps the phrase my psychiatrist used -- "not therapeutic" -- could serve you in discussing things with your therapist or with another therapist. In case of need, you could point to prior counterproductive experience with the mental health care facility as support for rejecting voluntary commitment or for objecting to involuntary commitment. The fact you could extricate yourself from the facility by putting on a happy mask demonstrates they weren't careful about you.

Your goal should be getting healthy, and I regret the very system designed to help you imposes additional depressing stresses.

Edit: I fully recognize some individuals here have had outstanding, healing inpatient experiences in various facilities. Clearly, some places are far better than others.

[madisgram]

yes, talk to a therapist!!!! you'll get help and it sounds like you need professional feedback and support. it doesn't necessarily mean you need to be hospitalized. just take baby steps...