Mental Health Care Kits: A Lifeline of Hope

Campaign Story:

No one should have to fight their mental health battles alone—especially not without basic care essentials.

Every day, across Central Illinois, individuals facing anxiety, depression, PTSD, or suicidal thoughts are left without the most basic tools to manage their mental health. Some are youth in crisis. Some are homeless adults. Others are seniors, veterans, or low-income families struggling in silence. These aren’t strangers—they’re our neighbors, our friends, our family.

At Central Illinois Resource Center Inc., we believe in meeting people where they are—not just with words, but with action. That’s why we’re launching our Mental Health Care Kits campaign.

Each kit will include:

• Journals and pens for expression and reflection
  
  

• Soothing items like stress balls, fidget tools, or aromatherapy
  
  

• Information on free or sliding-scale mental health resources
  
  

• Encouraging affirmations and a handwritten note of hope
  
  

• Hygiene essentials for dignity and self-care
  
  

Whether someone is facing a panic attack or simply needs a reminder that they matter, these kits can provide a moment of calm and a step toward healing.

We’re raising $5,000 to assemble and distribute 250+ Mental Health Care Kits across shelters, schools, hospitals, and crisis centers in our region. Just $20 covers the full cost of one kit—including delivery and outreach.

Why It Matters:

• Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth ages 10–24.
  
  

• Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults lives with a mental illness.
  
  

• Many suffer in silence due to stigma, poverty, or lack of access to care.
  
  

You can change that. Your donation literally puts hope in someone’s hands.

Here’s How You Can Help:

• Donate any amount—every dollar counts.
  
  

• Share this campaign with your friends and networks.
  
  

• Sponsor a full kit ($20), or several if you’re able.
  
  

• Leave a message of encouragement—we’ll include them in the kits!
  
  

Together, we can break the silence, reduce stigma, and remind our neighbors that they are never alone.

Because mental health is health. And everyone deserves care.