Psychiatric Hospitalization

Have you been hospitalized as an inpatient in a psychiatric ward or hospital? If so, what items did you find most useful to take with you or to have someone bring to you after you were already in the hospital? Are there items you wish you'd had along with you while in the hospital? Share your answers, or read what others have said so you can make your own choices about the best things to have wit…

There are a few key points to keep in mind when you or a loved-one are going to be admitted to the hospital. First, you do want to take some personal items, but pack light. The list of items that are not permitted on a psychiatric ward is quite long due to privacy and safety issues. Also, it is best to leave your valuables at home. Found here is a list of helpful items you may want to pack and a list of items that are not generally permitted.

An advance directive for mental health decision-making is a legal document expressing your choices about treatment. Templates are provided at this site. Valuable if you worry about involuntary commitment/treatment.

The history of involuntary civil commitment has been pendular, sometimes in favor as a government policy to treat mental illness, and at other times not in favor. Found here is an Address by Paul F. Stavis at a National Conference of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.