As part of a regional community health initiative, Memorial Health will partner with public libraries in Decatur, Jacksonville, Lincoln, Springfield and Taylorville to provide free, family mental health kits to area residents.
The kits include books about emotions and mental health, worksheets on breathing and grounding techniques, coloring pages, local support and mental health resources. The kits, designed for ages 3 and older, can be checked out for a two-week period. Anyone in the community is free to check out the kits, and a library card is not required.
“Our hope is that families read together from an age-appropriate book to spark conversation and connection about issues that can affect mental health,” said Sonja Chargois, Memorial Health community health consultant. “The worksheets provide strategies to manage feelings through breathing, grounding or exploring emotions. There are also coloring pages when a moment of calm, focus or creative expression is needed.”
Tips provided for how to use the kits include:
- Read together from an age-appropriate book to spark conversation and connection
- Try a worksheet to learn a new way to manage feelings through breathing, grounding or exploring emotions
- Use the coloring pages or fidgets whenever you need a moment of calm, focus or creative expression.
Mental health was identified as a final priority for all five counties in the Memorial Health service area as part of the 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment report.
Kits are available at Decatur Public Library, 130 N. Franklin St. For additional information, contact Chargois at 217-876-2117.