Friend admitted to psychiatric ward. What can I send to make her stay a bit easier?

[IWillNotNameTheTree]

I can’t send flowers or visit for obvious reasons, but I’ve checked with ward staff and I can make up a little care package for her.

Any ideas of what I can put in it for her? I was thinking a book, maybe also a nice journal she can use if she wants to, some nice toiletries?

Any other ideas would be welcome!

I would ask the ward staff exactly what they will allow her to have first

headphones or earplugs. wards can be noisy.

There was a huge thread on Twitter last year by a lady in a psychiatric ward. She had family and friends nearby to bring her stuff but many didn’t so she set up a scheme so people could send stuff in for all the other patients. Key things she asked for were herbal tea, sweets and treats, toiletries, books and adult colouring books, warm socks (a lot of people arrive with only the clothes they have on and what they are given is very basic) and soft blankets.

@PotteringAlong thank you, I have done that.

She isn’t allowed anything with cables, or anything she could harm herself with so I need to be extremely careful.

I was thinking some nice chocolate, a book, notebook and some nice shower gel/hand cream with a card would be safe enough? Ear plugs are a good idea thank you!

@TheFlis12345 the blanket and socks idea is brilliant, I’ll add those now.

Slippers, chocolates, agree a nice journal and a book.
How about also writing a letter to her weekly?
Something to look forward to that she can read over when she's missing you.

That’s so lovely of you. When my sister was an inpatient we used to take things like mini cheddars and other snacks for evening time as the supper time was so early in the evening and she used to get hungry. Yes to chocolate and nice toiletries. If you send a notebook maybe include a pen. A magazine might be easier instead of a book if her concentration isn’t great at the moment.

Nice thing you're doing OP. I'd add soft tissues in a pretty box, a sudoku or word search book, and some nice stationery (think Paperchase style stuff with the beauteous pencil cases, colourful gel pens and stickers). for your friend

I had a friend do a stay in à psychiatric setting; was allowed to visit back then but I took fancy chocolates, luxury toiletries so she could feel pampered and really trashy magazines, because in her words "reading the real life stories make me feel like I've got my shit together in comparison"

Magazine maybe? Such a lovely thing of you to do.

A friend of mine was in a psychiatric hospital for ages last year and it was difficult to know what to get as she frequently had most things removed from her possession due to self-harm. She also found it difficult to concentrate so novels, puzzle books etc weren't any good for her. She did like colouring books and felt pens though.

Sweets, crisps and nice tea bags were popular. Also lip balm and hand cream.

If you're able to visit and the hospital has a coffee shop like a Coast or whatever (or there's one nearby) see if you are allowed to take in a takeaway coffee for her if she drinks them.

*Costa

What about, instead of one big box, a weekly letter, magazine and little treat (chocolate or similar)?

@stillfeelingmad that sounds exactly like what my friend would say! I’ll add some magazines too, a book might be a bit much for her right now actually as some of you have mentioned.

@BillBaileysBum I will definitely take things up weekly for her, luckily the hospital is only 15 minutes from me. I like the idea of sending her a little card every week. I just want this one to be a good one, she’s really frightened and needs some comfort.

Depends why she has been admitted.

If she is at risk of self harm, she may not be allowed pens, pencils etc

I'd agree that a small parcel each week is a good way to go.
I've a friend who is in each year for around 3m.
He says bigger, fancier things often go missing.
I tend to send a colouring book, an 'easy' book / magazine, some chocolate, some soap, tea / coffee sachets, socks, a soft blanket, small snacks like cheese / crisps. Some meds can cause an increase in appetite and dinner is very early. Just a card or letter is good too as it is easy to overwhelm a person / they cant reply / respond.
Nothing valuable though.

What a lovely friend you are op ❣️

Simple comforts. I work on a ward and I think the best bet would be
May want to include lose change so when she has leave she can buy a few things.

Snacks
Colouring book
Journal - maybe start of the pages with a hopeful note and some motivational quotes.
Slippers
Body wash/shampoo
Cream
Deodorant
Buy one or two magazines. Something that can be easy to read. She may not be able to concentrate.
Ear plugs

Ask the ward what is best i.e colouring pencil/crayons/pens depending on severity they may not allow certain things.

Clothes are a tricky one but a loose comfy cotton top and a pair of socks would be good: as op said, people often go in wearing just what they have and wearing something clean and new often makes you feel more human.

Ok, I’ve found out one of my Elemis gift sets from Christmas with shower gel and hand cream in so I’ll pop that in.
Tea
Chocolate
Snacks
A soft throw
Ear plugs
Magazines
A journal
Colouring book and pencils/pens if allowed.

Do you know if she has enough underwear? I have a friend who is often in a locked ward, after emergency admissions she has nothing with her and needs knickers and socks.

She was on an admission ward yesterday and I know her sister took her some clothes up but I’m not sure what.

I don’t think any other members of her family have taken anything.

She is in regular contact via text so I could ask her if she needs any clothing, she doesn’t need to know about the other bits.

Nice instant coffee/hot choc/herbal tea, bagged sealed snacks, a crossword, a selection of junky magazines, a gripping novel, comfy slippers, a decent bath foam and maybe a potted plant in a plastic pot.

Be prepared to have staff rifle through it all!