Lets Fight Depression

First of all, there is a significant difference between a short term stay at a mental hospital and a long term stay at a mental hospital. There is also a major difference when it comes to a voluntary versus an involuntary commitment. In addition, many psychiatrists prefer the term psychiatric care facility over mental hospital, but people are going to know what you are talking about either way. One just has a more negative connotation

Short Term Stay – Voluntary
If you decide to receive psychiatric care for a short period of time of your own free will then you have decided to voluntarily commit yourself for a short term stay. This generally involves signing multiple forms to ensure that you were not coerced in any way into giving up your rights. In these care facilities, the goal is typically going to be to prepare to go back out into the world with the ability to handle your disorder better than when you entered the care of the hospital. You will learn techniques that you can use to combat the symptoms of your disorder and it will give your body time to adjust to the medication that has been prescribed to you. In general, the doctors will give you your medication to ensure that you are taking the right amount. Also, you will have the ability to meet and make friends with people who are going through the same experiences that you are. You will not be chained down or anything and in most cases the doors will be unlocked so you can go outside and get fresh air or walk around whenever you need to.

Short Term Stay – Involuntary
If you are deemed a threat to yourself or others, you may be restrained for a short period of time against your will. You are only allowed to be involuntarily restrained for a short period of time which is usually just a few days before a judge will decide whether you need to be restrained for a longer period of time. There is the potential for many human rights violations in this situation as you are likely going to be locked up, forced to take prescription medications, and may even be bound or put in a strait-jacket. The goal at this point is to ensure that you calm down enough to not commit suicide or hurt someone else. They may also want to give your body time to react to the medicine until you come back to your senses so to speak.

Long Term Stay – Voluntary
Some people with a mental disorder who are unable to function normally in society and have no other place to go to help them fight their disorder may choose a voluntary and long term stay at a mental institution. This is especially true of debilitating mental disorders where a person has no chance at getting a job and may not even be able to fill out the proper paperwork to receive help from the government. In these cases, it is much better for the person to be in a hospital where they can learn to function in society and maybe find a job when they get out. A voluntary commitment means that they will be treated much more like kids in a school where they are supposed to follow the rules, do as instructed, and learn something compared to . They also may be able to leave for a day or two and visit family members and friends when needed. In certain very extreme cases, voluntary commitment may even become permanent when a person realizes that they will never be able to function in society outside of the psychiatric facility.

Long Term Stay – Involuntary
People suffering from a mental disorder who are a danger to themselves or others may be involuntarily committed to a mental institution for a long period of time. In these cases, a judge, the doctors, and staff must feel that the person is a major threat to society if they were to be released. These people may be incredibly suicidal, delusional, or may even have already committed a heinous crime. People in involuntary long term stay institutions may be locked in their room, will be forced to take their medication, and will most likely not be able to leave the facility. However, doctors try to avoid treating these patients like criminals so they will most likely be able to spend time outside, watch TV, spend time with the other patients, and maybe even play video games.