The day I arrived at the facility. I came because my mom forced me after I had suicidal thoughts, including wanting to jump off the bridge 2 miles from my house thanks to factors like online harassment.

The day was long and boring, including having to say goodbye to everyone I knew, and also having to wait for about 5 hours as the admission paperwork got processed. Once it did, I got integrated into the hospital unit where I was to stay for the next week.

This is the first full day of my stay; the day when I met people and also began therapy. Not much happened, however, my first roommate from the day before left, so I was on my own for the next day. This is what an average day looks like:

Lots more happened today. My roommate from the first day kept me up all night, but this time, since I was by myself, I got some much-needed rest. I also had to get my vitals taken every morning (they would come in with a machine where they tested my blood pressure by strapping the thing around my arm, as well as my heart rate by pinching my finger with a device). It quickly got annoying being woken up this way, but I had to get used to it.

The day included things like meeting more people and attending more therapies, getting to see family since it was visitation day, having desserts that were top-tier, getting a new roommate (it was slightly better than the last one), and doing some activities like coloring and watching a movie.

I learned that my roommate is a sleep talker and farts often (they’re always the loud and big ones, I swear I’m not lying), which peeved me a little. But, I did lots of coloring that day to make up for that, and I even got some numbers from people!

(I also watched some Kpop Demon Hunters)

We’re halfway there! I did stuff like attend a therapy group about a mindfulness version of karate, wrote some positive facts about myself, and called my family to check in about what’s happening. However, a few friends I’ve met in my stay left that day, so it was sad to see them go.

(I also had the best banana pudding ever)

This was the day when I decided to start reading a new book (I chose The Sparrow Sisters by Ellen Herrick) as well as doing a fun group where I got to collage and decorate my journal by adding pictures to the front and back of it! (see beginning of thread for what it looks like)

I also played a cool group game in another therapy group, but other than that, not much else happened (although I did have good chocolate cake!)

Last full day at the mental hospital! The usual morning vital check didn’t happen to me somehow… I suppose either they forgot or I was asleep for it!

Anyways, I did some stuff like doing some surveys on an iPad to prepare for discharge the following day, and I also did the best group therapy ever: water coloring! I got to paint… as a creative, artistic person, I was jumping for joy. That’s why I bought art supplies to use at home once I left the hospital!

I also called my family once again, finished my book (it was good), and had pasta and banana pudding for dinner (there was nothing better, it was incredible!!!)

It’s goodbye day. Like the first day, I had to sign some paperwork (although not as much this time!). I also had to do a safety check to ensure I remained safe once I left the hospital.

I said goodbye, called my family to come pick me up, gave my number out to people, and got escorted out the door after packing my stuff up. I was given a postcard to leave a Google review while I waited for my family to arrive (it only took about 5 minutes).

We hugged, and once I arrived home, I said hi to the rest of my family, and my brother surprised me with a new room that my family had done while I was gone! I was speechless to say the least… then I bought some art supplies to use (inspiration from the mental hospital), got Netflix and iHeartRadio for my family (also inspiration, and I watched both Happy Gilmore movies!), and rode my bike around town (something I wanted to do for the last week!).

And as for what happened next? Well, that’s a story for another time…

The week-long mental hospital stay experience was interesting, to say the least. I had my good and bad moments while I was there, but what really mattered is that my life was saved. I want to thank my mom for forcing me there; it ended up being the right decision. Without her, I probably wouldn't be alive right now to say this.

What I miss is the groups, the people I’ve met there, doing art, the food, movie nights, etc. What I’m glad I left behind is mostly the restrictions (like not being able to use your phone) and the tedious amount of paperwork I had to do. But what I can take away from this is that therapy does help you to get better, a lot actually. The coping skills I’ve learned have really helped me.

The week was interesting to say the least; one I’ll always remember as the one to save my life.