I do not know from experience. It is my understanding you are interviewed by a psychiatrist. You would want to explain EVERYTHING to him/her. He does an evaluation and it may be decided you are to remain in their custody. I think the maximum time they can keep you is 72 hours, .. but I am not absolutely sure.

If, within that time, you stabilize and their professional opinion is you are not a danger to yourself or others, you are released. If the 72 hours expires, and they think you are STILL a danger, they can get a court order from a judge to keep you until you are no longer a danger ... I THINK.

The type of 'treatment' while you are there is known to be kind and reasonable. Whether you are isolated or among other patients would depend on your evaluation. In most cases, you are around other patients. You may or may not share sleeping quarters with other patients. That would depend on the facility.

You may be put 'on watch' which might mean isolation and put on a video camera. This would be if they thought you were very likely to try to hurt yourself or someone else. If you become violent, they can and probably would put you in restraints. If you are not violent, they take a kind and patient approach. You may be 'observed' 24/7 some other way.

Is it helpful? If you need it .. damn right its helpful.

I just got out of the hospital for the same thing. I'm not sure what kind of facilities you have where you live, but the hospital I was in was not too bad. I got my own room, but some times you might have to share one, depending on the amount of patients there are. There were always quite a few people on staff some of which were very helpful when I needed someone to talk to. Even though it was a lock up facility, we were locked in and couldn't leave, they did allow us quite a bit of freedom. They let us watch TV, play cards do puzzles and they had some board games to keep our minds occupied. There were also several therapeutic groups every day, which helped me get over some of the feelings I was in there for in the first place. They allowed visitors to come see you at certain hours, and even let us out into a fenced in courtyard for a bit of recreation once a day. The only real bad thing I thought was the psychiatrist was so busy with so many patients, she seemed to be just going through the motions.
In general, if you are really feeling like you are going to hurt yourself, it is the place you need to be. If you feel safe enough that you aren't going to, I would recommend seeing an independent shrink, one that has more time to assess you and find out what's really wrong.

Hun, if you are scared that you will hurt yourself then maybe hospital would help. I don't know what you have in your part of the country but I have a 24 hour crisis line run by the local mental health unit - look in the phone, nothing to loose by talking to them and asking what your options are. Your are too young to be doing this on your own, have you tried talking to your parents about it - explain you are feeling desperate. They might surprise you xx

from family members and people here that claimed to have tried it, not meant to smart ass comment, yes in room by your self with a nurse all the time for 72 hours

I worked at one. It is not at all like tv. They dont restrain u unless you give them a reason like attacking others or doing something drastic to hurt yourself. Most hospital DO NOT want to restrain u because there is a lot of ppwk involved. There are caring counselors there. You may have a roommate who is just like you. You will go to therapy with the counselor individually and groups. You will also see the dr daily. You may also do recreational activity. You will also have visitation.

It will only work if u are willing to be honest and open.