What is a "comfort kit"?
A comfort kit (also called a comfort box, self-care kit, or calming kit) is a collection of items that give you comfort and remind you to take care of yourself during stressful times. The items can be big - like a blanket - or small, such as a stress ball. Although comfort kits are typically seen in classrooms and made for kids, they can be helpful for anyone, no matter your age!
Typically, the items in a comfort kit should fulfill your sensory needs. This means it would need to include things that activate your senses: sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing. There are various online articles, blog posts, and social media posts discussing the types of items that can be included in the kit and when it can be used, like this blog post from Blossom Counseling and Wellness, LLC.
This guide seeks to help you learn more about what you can do to help yourself in times of stress, as well as provide information on various mental-health-related topics.
How can I practice self-care while on campus?
There are multiple ways you can keep your mental health a priority at Mount Union. Some of them include:
- Visiting Mount's Counseling Services, located in HPCC behind the information desk.
- Walk in hours:
- Monday: 2-4 p.m.
- Tuesday: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Wednesday: 2-4 p.m.
- Thursday: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Friday: 2-4 p.m.
- Athletes also have access to walk-in hours in the MAAC, by checking in with Pam Miller (office 2125):
- Tuesday: 11 am-1 pm
- Thursday: 11 am-1 pm
- Walk in hours:
- Visiting the Health Center, located at the Alliance Community Hospital's Professional Office Building, 270 E. State Street, Suite 200, Alliance, OH 44601.
- Working out at the McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex (MAAC), or walking on the Wellness Trail around campus.
- Visiting the Huston-Brumbaugh Nature Center, located at 16146 Daniel Street NE in Minerva, OH 44657.
- If you want to learn more about mental health, take a psychology class! A great one to start with is PSY 110S: Psychological Sciences, and PSY 240: Abnormal Psychology is great if you'd like to learn more the nature, origin, and treatment of mental illnesses.
- Get involved - Active Minds is an organization on campus that specifically focuses on mental health awareness.
Mental Health Resources
Information on Mental Illnesses & Mental Health Awareness
Mental Health in Sports
Self-Care
Stigmas Surrounding Mental Health
Suicide Awareness & Prevention
A Pity Party Is Still a Party: A Feel-Good Guide to Feeling Bad by Call Number: BF531 .G27 2023ISBN: 9780063082410Publication Date: 2023-07-11
A Pet Named Anxiety: Life with the World's Cutest Companion from Hell by Call Number: BF575.A6 S94 2023ISBN: 9781250285294Publication Date: 2023-03-21
Decolonizing the Body: Healing, Body-Centered Practices for Women of Color to Reclaim Confidence, Dignity, and Self-Worth by Call Number: BF151 .B53 2023ISBN: 9781648480614Publication Date: 2023-03-01
Self-Care for People with ADHD: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Prioritize You! by Call Number: RC394.A85 H36 2023ISBN: 9781507219430Publication Date: 2023-01-03
Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Simple Path to Healing, Hope, and Peace Hardcover by Call Number: RC489.M55 G55 2022ISBN: 9780063075719Publication Date: 2022-12-06
Why We Meditate: The Science and Practice of Clarity and Compassion by Call Number: BF637.M4 G65 2022ISBN: 9781982178451Publication Date: 2022-12-06
Healing: Our Path from Mental Illness to Mental Health by Call Number: 362.20973 I591hISBN: 9780593298046Publication Date: 2022-02-22
Lazy, Crazy, and Disgusting: Stigma and the Undoing of Global Health by Call Number: 362.1 B847LISBN: 9781421443256Publication Date: 2022-02-01
Everyday Trauma: Remapping the Brain's Response to Stress, Anxiety, and Painful Memories for a Better Life by Call Number: 616.8521 Sh79eISBN: 9781250247001Publication Date: 2021-12-14
Pocket Guide for Understanding LGBTQ Mental Health by Call Number: eBookISBN: 9781615372751Publication Date: 2020-05-07
The Self-Care Handbook: Connect with Yourself and Boost Your Wellbeing by Call Number: eBookISBN: 9780857088154Publication Date: 2019-12-16
Available On Campus
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Counseling Services: (330) 823-288
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Resident Director on Duty: (330) 428-3500
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Campus Security: (330) 428-1344
Available Off-Campus
National and Local Crisis Resources:
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Alliance Police Department (330) 821-3131 or dial 911
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Alliance EMS (Fire Dept) (330) 821-1212 or dial 911
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Stark County Crisis Hotline: (330) 452-6000
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Crisis Text Line: Text 4hope or HOME to 741741
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Help Network of Northeast Ohio Hotline: 330-424-7767
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) (press 1 for veterans, 2 for Spanish)
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National Mental Health Hotline: Text or Call 988
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National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine: text or call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
Domestic Violence, Abuse, and Sexual Assault Resources:
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Alliance Area Rape Crisis Center: (330) 821- RAPE (7273)
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Alliance Area Domestic Violence Shelter: (330) 823-7223
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National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
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National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) OR 1-800-787-3224 (hearing impaired line)
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National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
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RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
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Ohio Domestic Violence Network: 800-934-9840
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Ohio Sexual Violence Helpline: 1-844-644-6435
LGBTQIA+ Support Resources:
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LGBT National Help Center: 1-888-843-4564
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LGBT National Youth Talkline: 1-800-246-PRIDE (1-800-246-7743)
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LGBT National Senior Hotline: 1-888-234-7243
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Trevor Project Crisis Line – LGBTQ Youth: 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (488-7386)
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Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
Other Resources:
- National Runaway Safeline: 1-800-621-4000
- Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-589-9966
- Neil Kennedy Recovery Centers offer detox, inpatient and outpatient locations in the Mahoning Valley, Youngstown, Ohio area. Phone: 330-744-1181
- New Day Recovery operates withdrawal management and residential treatment programs with locations in Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull counties. Phone: 330-886-4744
- SAMHSA’s National Helpline provides free, 24-hour information and referral assistance to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- Trinity East’s Behavioral Medicine Department offers both inpatient and outpatient treatment services to individuals with psychiatric illnesses and/or substance use disorders. Phone: 740-283-7024
- SAMHSA's Disaster Distress Helpline provides immediate crisis counseling if you're experiencing stress, anxiety, or other symptoms due to a man-made or natural disaster, including pandemics: 1-800-985-5990 or text "TalkWithUs" to 66746
- National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Helpline offers phone & chat support for anyone coping with an eating disorder as well as access to a crisis text line, if needed: 1-800-931-2237
Deep, Dark Secret: A Closer Look at Mental Illness in the African American Community by Call Number: Alexander Street Streaming VideoPublication Date: 2013
Mental Health Awareness
- American Psychiatric AssociationThe mission of the American Psychiatric Association is to promote universal and equitable access to the highest quality care for all people affected by mental disorders (including substance use disorders), promote psychiatric education and research, advance and represent the profession of psychiatry, and serve the professional needs of its membership.
- Mental Health America of OhioMental Health America of Ohio (MHAOhio) is an affiliate of Mental Health America, the country’s leading organization dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives. They support the Central Ohio community by guiding people to mental health services that may not otherwise be accessible, from making initial referrals, to providing free mental health services, to helping maintain stability and productivity once they are achieved.
Suicide Awareness & Prevention
- 988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineThe 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States.
- The Trevor Project | For Young LGBTQ LivesThe Trevor Project is the world's largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQIA+ youth, providing crisis counseling as well as mental health research, education, and advocacy.
Treatment & Management Resources
- Advocates for Youth: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and IssuesOnline resource developed by those serving LGBTQ youth. Resources include empowerment and advocating information for LGBTQ youth and those working with LGBTQ youth (also available in Spanish).
- CommQuestCommQuest offers mental health help, addiction recovery, and social support resources in Alliance, Canton, Massilon, and Carrolton.
- International Self-Care Foundation (ISF)The International Self-Care Foundation was formed to champion self-care around the world, which involves helping to develop evidence-based self-care concepts and practices, as well as promoting the role of self-care in health.
- Koru MindfulnessTeaches techniques regarding mindfulness, meditation, and breathing exercises, all of which are proven to help reduce stress.
- LGBT National Help CenterLGBT National Health Center provides free & confidential peer-support and local resources.
- New Day Recovery CenterNew Day Recovery operates withdrawal management and residential treatment programs with locations in Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull counties.
- The Ohio Council of Behavioral Health & Family Services ProviderThe Ohio Council is a statewide trade association representing more than 160 private and not-for-profit organizations providing community-based mental health, alcohol and other drug addiction treatment and family services throughout Ohio.
- Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction ServicesThe Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) exists to provide statewide leadership of a high-quality mental health and addiction prevention, treatment and recovery system that is effective and valued by all Ohioans.
- RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network)RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
- RecoveryOhioRecoveryOhio’s goals are to create a system to help make treatment available to Ohioans in need, provide support services for those in recovery and their families, offer direction for the state’s prevention and education efforts, and work with local law enforcement to provide resources to fight illicit drugs at the source.
- Resources | HeartMath InstitutePDFs, audio files, videos and PowerPoints related to mental health topics such as anxiety, stress, and resiliency.
- SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services LocatorSAMHSA’s National Helpline provides free, 24-hour information and referral assistance to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
- The Trevor ProjectThe Trevor Project is the world's largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQIA+ youth, providing crisis counseling as well as mental health research, education, and advocacy.
- University at Buffalo | Mindful Wellness ResourcesShowcases studies, videos, articles, PDFs, and apps relating to self-care.
About the Guide Creator
Kaitlynn Haas ('24) is a Psychology major and student library worker. She is involved in Active Minds, the Purple Raider Marching Band, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Alpha Phi Omega, holds a student leadership position in the library's back office, and has helped create several other library displays since 2021. This is the first display she personally initiated.