[WikidPissah]

Hey everyone,

I know I've been MIA for a while, but I am doing quite well. I haven't had a T in 2 years, and I've found the less I focus on myself the better I am. That's just ME though, I respect you all for sticking with it and working your stuff out.

I have a good friend who's daughter was committed to a hospital for up to 6 months. I have been in-patient before, and I know how much it sucks, so I am putting together a care-package for her. She's quite artistic, and I know they are strict about what they allow, but I was looking for some ideas to put in it.

Suggestions?

[Crazy Hitch]

I unfortunately do not know the answer to what would be appropriate, but I am sure that members will be able to give you some ideas.

I just wanted to let you know how kind you are for thinking of your friend's daughter in this time of need.

Ask her mother what is allowed and not allowed first. She'll have a list that was provided on admission I'm sure, or she can get one.

Generally, they are fine with coloring books, art tablets, and crayons (not in a box with a sharpener). They may have some restrictions on pens, pencils, and markers depending on the level of unit she is on. I've seen many patients who spent time coloring or drawing.

What a great thing for you to do!
If she's artistic, there are a lot of "adult" coloring books nowadays. They are absolutely beautiful. If she loves creating but needs a bit of inspiration, there are books on Zentangle or Doodling. They are great fun and very creative once a person gets the hang of how patterns can be used to create interesting and beautiful art. I do birthday card nowadays using the Zentangle method of patterns and I find it very Zen (in other words, very relaxing and mindful!). I've found the books on Amazon and at Michael's Craft stores.

All she needs for the actual drawings are thin felt tipped pens. I use Sharpies or some of the other brands now offered. A lot of Zentangle drawings are done in Black & white so not a big cost in buying writing/coloring utensils. Hope she does well and I'm glad to hear that you're doing well too.

[Nammu]

Those little squares of clay, I can't think of what they are called at the moment, some are self drying others need to be baked. She could make things and someone could take them home to bake.

[granite1]

Michaels has adult coloring books.they are awesome.

[ThisWayOut]

totally depends on the unit. I've been to ones where pencils were allowed, and markers, but not pens (not sure the logic, because markers were plastic also). If you send her either a sketchbook or coloring book, most places will not allow spiral-bound or things that are stapled. the pencil crayons that don;t have the wood around them will probablly be ok, as might chalk . Crayons might be ok. Paint generally isn't as they want to make sure that it's not ingested, though if you get kid-safe non-toxic stuff it may be ok. Some places will hold the art supplies until she can be supervised using them. Other places are sticklers.
It's awesome that you are doing this. I know it was always nice to have my own art stuff with me. <3

Inpatient sounds like a prison. only worse.

How about paper folding art? Origami and other kinds of paper folding can be very satisfying and fun. A book with origami patterns? She could use almost any type of paper.

[stopdog]

Originally Posted by Mastodon

Inpatient sounds like a prison. only worse.

According to many of my clients, it certainly can be.

[ThisWayOut]

Originally Posted by Mastodon

Inpatient sounds like a prison. only worse.

yup, that's about right for most places. Some are better than others, but pretty much worse than prison.

The level of restrictions is dependent on the facility's ability to separate patients who are a danger to themselves or others from those who aren't. If they cannot place them on different units, then they have to apply restrictions based on the safety concerns for patients who might use items to cause harm.

The hospital I use, at this point, does not have the ability to separate patients, so it is fairly restrictive. I wouldn't AT ALL characterize it as anywhere near as bad as being in prison though. Pens are not allowed. I hate that because I am a writer, but I understand it having actually seen a patient stab herself with a pen before that restriction became a rule. What they do now for patients that want to journal with a pen is provide a few times a day where a place is provided with some supervision where patients can use pens and then turn them back in. Any item containing alcohol is not allowed because desparate patients will ingest anything they can get their hands on with alcohol. Obviously anything glass, hard plastics that can be broken and used to cut, belts and shoelaces, etc. It isn't that horrible, certainly not prison horrible.

[NWgirl2013]

As an artistic person myself, I would love something like very nice art paper with pastels. (softer than a crayons), or water colors.
Also, Sculpy, the brightly colored modeling clay that is infinitely creative. I used it with my kids when they were little, and this last Christmas my teen & I created an entire Nativity set ...very fun with the bonus of being mind & time occupying...
It is probably easy to find out the restrictions from the facility itself.

[stopdog]

I think it can depend upon the person in terms of how they feel about hospitals versus prisons. I have had several clients who were taken from the county jail to the psych ward and more than a few have preferred jail. In terms of the hospitals I have clients in, each one sets its own rules for materials that a client can have.

Last time i was in patient they confiscated my sharpener, when i needed to use it i had to find a nurse first and use it in the staffroom. But im not in your country so i would ask too.

[Restin]

Zentangle can pass hours in creative enjoyment without needing much in supplies. All it takes basically is pencil, eraser, and paper, and a beginner instruction book if needed.

Another thing I sorely missed in the psych ward was fresh fruit and junk food!

[Victoria'smom]

I was only allowed 2 sets of clothing everything else was provided.

[WikidPissah]

Such great ideas...thank you all. I am off to Michaels to buy some stuff.
I have already checked into what she can and can't have. I was just looking for any ideas...I will filter out the un-doable myself.

I have never been in prison, but I've been in-patient. They took my bras because they had underwires! This was humiliating on a co-ed unit, going braless.
They took my shoelaces and my belt.
They suck. lol.

[Victoria'smom]

You may want to sent a sports bra. They have no underwire and really helped my self esteem

it is like prison.

my 'package' is as follows: books, diary, sketchbook, pencils, makeup, DVDs, iPod shuffle, nail varnish. this has lasted me okay-ish, but i still get really bored.