Yes, two actually. A long time ago I was depressed and planning suicide, thankfully I chose to seek help and checked myself in. The easiest way to describe the place is, it was safe. Any phone calls or visitors are screened, so you don't have to encounter anyone you don't want to. There was a psychiatrist for an entrance exam, and to prescribe medication. Counselors for day to day conversations and therapy. After entrance you are placed in a monitored ward, no shoe strings, lighters, and are closely observed until therapy and medication take effect. Eventually with improvement you can be moved to an open ward, lighters and shoe strings come back, you can walk about the grounds, and go to the cafeteria. Activities are planned to keep you active, hikes, art classes, group therapy. The thing that surprised me was how ordinary everyone was. No one violent, just everyday people who were near the breaking point. One woman was a rape victim, one was a battered wife, a teenager abused by his parents, and so on. There were a couple of guys with severe mental development problems, 8 year old minds in the body of full grown men so to speak. No screaming, or moaning, no one strapped to a gurney.
The second time I visited a friend who had a psychotic episode, brought on by stress and loss. You have to call ahead so the patient can approve you to be a visitor. You can visit in the open ward, this was a different institution, but similar set up. I wanted him to know I was his friend, and he didn't need to feel shame for seeking help. That is probably the worst thing about it, the stigma attached to it. If it weren't for the anonymity I wouldn't be sharing now. In real life only my closest family and friends know. For some reason society tends to look down on people who need help, compassion, or understanding.
If anyone reading this knows someone who is, or has dealt with mental illness, let them know you are still their friend. Let them know you are glad they sought help, or urge them to seek help if they need it.