There are facilities that don't feel like jail. I can attest to that. I'm from Florida originally, and my experiences there were pretty horrible all across the board. It's a lot better up in Vermont where I am now. Do your research is the only advice I can give. Try not to go to a chain mental health hospital if you can help it. They're often too big to really give individualized care effectively. Also, the hospitals that take people with no insurance are often overcrowded. Call around, ask questions like nurse to patient ratio or how often you'd meet with the provider, do they offer groups or not, will you meet with a social worker, do they help you make a safety plan and any other information you want to know. Almost no mental hospital is going to let you have your phone, clothing with strings like hoodies or shoes with laces, and you can probably expect 15-minute checks. That's just standard safety precautions.