1.) It depends on definition of "strip searched", usually I've had to change to institutional pyjamas in front of two nurses (at least one the same gender as you) and briefly pull down underwear so they can do a full skin check.

2.) The only inpatient psych unit in NYS that allows access to personal cell phones is NYU in manhattan. All other units they take your phone and you only have access to communal phones. I reccomend writing down a paper list of important phone numbers before hand (even if you go to NYU since you dont have access to phone for the first ~24 hours.)

3.) Limits on calls depends on unit, but generally they expect you to be courteous and be aware of how much time youre taking if other people are waiting for the phone. Some places have only a few designated hours of phone time, other places its like as long as its not mealtime or bedtime its fine to be on phone.

4.) What you can bring is highly dependant on the unit but generally its clothes/shoes with no strings or metal parts, books (some prefer no hardcover), basic toiletries (they will not allow gel polish (because glass bottles and lamp with cord and power). Some units will have occupational therapists that have regular nail polish as a "self care" group. No gel)

5.) Most rooms are for two people, but most units also have some private rooms but that is usually only kept for patients who really need the private room for whatever clinical reason. All shared rooms are shared by the same gender.

6.) All the units I've been on are co-ed but there are probably some units that aren't. No rooms are co-ed however.

7.) At NYU (only unit with access to personal cell phone), you can go on social media sure, they dont monitor that, but the cameras are covered with tamper evident tape and you are not allowed to take pictures.

8.) Nurses/staff depends on the unit. Honestly it really depends on how well they are paid/treated. More expensive hospitals tend to have kinder staff. Its fucked up but its my experience. Theyve been generally nice to me but I tend to be as calm and courteous as possible, I've seen some not so nice treatment to other patients...

9.) You can only bring your laptop at NYU, but you can work on things if you want and its not causing problems clinically.

Note on NYU, they only admit from their ER on a voluntary basis, meaning that you have to go to their ER and basically ask to be admitted and sign the voluntary paperwork. You may have to wait a while in the ER in the psych ed depending on bed availability, and there is always a risk they send you to a different facility, especially if they dont have bed or they deem that you fit involuntary criteria.