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WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) – People in Marathon County spent part of their Tuesday night working to make a difference by assembling mental wellness kits meant to help meet people’s mental health needs
Volunteers with Women United and Healthfirst took about ten minutes to make 100 bags. Fifty were made for adults and fifty for kids, all aimed at emotional regulation and impacting the five senses
The adult kits include notebooks, tea bags and fuzzy socks. The kids’ kits include activity books, stretchy fidgets and spinning toys
“I think the biggest thing is that we’re in this together. This is our community,” said Emily Champine, affinity group coordinator at United Way of Marathon County
“We had the idea of doing the mental wellness bags as a way to help individuals immediately,” said Jessie Scharfenberg, CEO of Healthfirst
“By opening that bag, it really changes the focus that you have and will hopefully turn that around for individuals to regain some of that focus so they’re not feeling so spiraled at the moment,” Scharfenberg said
Both the adult kits and the kid kits are intended to provide immediate help. Starting Wednesday, they will be available to community members
“Anyone who walks in tomorrow can utilize them. I think it’s really important also to remember that community members, even if you aren’t a client of Healthfirst, if you are in need and need one of these mental wellness bags, please stop in and come in and grab one,” Scharfenberg said
For adults, Champine said the affirmation journals can be opened when a person’s brain gets busy. Parents can watch for kids’ crying or temper tantrums to use the bags
“I think you could use them really any time, you know, it keeps your brain healthy,” Champine said
Scharfenberg also encouraged looking into scheduling appointments with a provider for long-term help
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