Creating a Mental Health First Aid Kit
When you live with mental illness, it is not always possible to predict the next time you will find yourself struggling. Sometimes it can be sitting at the desk at work and then have an unexpected panic attack. Other times, maybe a comment triggers some past trauma and makes the rest of the day hard to go through. Whatever the situation, having a mental health crisis kit can be handy. Do note that if you are currently in crisis please click here for the crisis resources and save this thread for when not in crisis.
A mental health crisis kit, also known as mental health first aid kit, is a collection of things that you find comforting that are on hand for when things get tough mentally. Some people may carry a crisis kit in a purse or backpack while others have a crisis box at home or just a few calming objects in their car.
If you don't have an idea of what to put in your box here are some ideas, please feel free to share what you are going to put in your box.
- Headphones
- Journal or sketchbook
- Stuffed Animal
- Backup medication
- Essential Oils
- Playing Cards
- Phone
- Knitting/Crocheting supplies
- Fidget Toy
- A Dammit! Doll
- Books
- photos
- playdoh
- sleep mask
- Coloring book
- Notes to self/letters from others
- Glitter
18 Things to Put in Your Mental Health Crisis Kit (themighty.com)