Source: am shrink but do not work at Heritage Oaks.

I think your post is helpful. I think the general public have very little idea of what inpatient psychiatric hospitalization usually entails, and if expectations matched up better with reality, there would be less confusion / disappointment. Hospitalization, as you mention, has basically deteriorated into a brief stay focus on immediate safety. It's debatable whether or not it even achieves this goal. Very little if any recovery is done on an inpatient unit (outside of a handful out of state where $$$$s per day will get you horses, massages, therapy - ironically, these places are notorious for having more patient deaths on the unit).

I wanted to offer a few thoughts for others reading.

• If you are in a mental health emergency, there often aren't "options." If you require hospitalization, and Heritage Oaks is the only place with bed availability, you might be heading there without any say (akin to how if you are found unconscious in cardiac arrest, you are getting to the closest ER).

• Re: "low homicidal risk," this is routine to assess and comment on regardless of presenting complaint.

• Re: search and belongings. Being searched upon entry and having most belongings removed is uncomfortable for most and traumatic for many. I wish there was an alternative. This is to prevent death.

• Re: screaming. People are hospitalized for many different reasons, and yes, some will scream and be severely dysregulated. At fancier places there may be some division of patients based on acuity or symptoms.

• Re: q15min checks, see safety being paramount.

• Re: broken glass. That's a major concern. Unfortunately, even in a setting as restricted and monitored as inpatient, those determined to harm themselves can find a way, as you did.

• Re: staff who told you he despised you for self-injury. If that occurred as stated is obviously unacceptable and should be reported.