What to Bring
What to Bring and Not Bring
When you arrive on the unit for the first time, you will sit down and talk to a nurse. He or she will ask you a few questions about your past and present emotional and physical condition. Next, you will meet with a mental health technician who will check in your belongings and check you for safety. The following is a list of recommended or allowed items. We ask that you limit yourself to these items as there is limited space available.
- Five pairs of pants or shorts
- Five t-shirts/undershirts
- Five regular shirts (must be fingertip length, not tight)
- Seven pairs of underwear
- Two sweatshirts, sweaters or hoodies
- Three bras (no under wire)
- Seven pairs of socks
- One pair of slippers
- Two pajama sets
- Two pairs of tennis shoes
- Two pairs of gym shorts or sweatpants
- One bathing suit (must be kept in storage)
- One pair of sandals or flip-flops
- One coat, a pair of gloves and cap (for outside only)
- Five books (approved by education coordinator)
- One tube of toothpaste
- One liquid soap/body wash
- Deodorant
- One bottle each of shampoo and conditioner
- Hair gel
- One bottle of lotion
- Makeup (limited to one mascara, one eyeliner, one foundation, one eye shadow and one lip gloss). No glass items or ones that contain a mirror.
- One favorite blanket or comforter and/or pillow
- Three stuffed animals
- Three games (no dice)
- One poster (content must be appropriate)
- Family photos
- Hair straightener/curling iron
- CDs
- Batteries
- Gum
- Rubber Bands
- Candy
- Hacky sacks/rec equipment
- Movies
- Safety Pins
- Q-tips
- Paper clips
- Money
- Staples
- Pens
- Cigarettes
- Markers
- Lighters
- Cassettes
- Tobacco/products
- Alcohol/products
- Glass items
- Chains
- Draw strings
- Drugs/OTC Medications
- Metal sharps
- Matches
- Outside food/drink
- Tennis shoes with skates
- Electrical Appliances
- Pencils with erasers
- Wire hair barrettes
- Mechanical Pencils
- Inline skates/blades
- Jewelry/watches
- Soda cans
- Trading Cards
- Video games and systems
- Belts
- Artificial Hair/Weaves
- Artificial fingernails
- Skateboards
- Bar Soap
- MP3 Players/iPods
- Aerosol Sprays
- Hats – except sock cap for outside
- Boots/Flip Flops
- Crotched Items/Blankets
- Magnets
- Para Chord
- Orbeez Polymer Toys
- Fidget Spinners
- Hidden Weapons
- Zip-it Products Plastic Bags
- Clothing must be in good repair (no large or revealing holes) and good taste. Shorts must be at least fingertip length.
- Sleeveless or low cut shirts/blouses are only permitted under other clothing items.
- Clothing/items with drug, alcohol, satanic, violence, gang, or sexually inappropriate themes are not considered appropriate.
- Skirts are not permitted.
- As a safety precaution, belts and ties in clothing cannot be worn.
- Do-rags (no larger than bandanas) can only be worn at night in the resident’s bedroom.
- Pants must be buttoned and cannot sag.
- Shoes must be worn at all times, unless otherwise indicated.
- Weather-appropriate clothing is expected when going outdoors, but is stored in the hygiene/storage closet at all times.
- Sunglasses, hoods, or hats are not permitted to be worn in the facility.
- Clothing or items prohibited by these guidelines will be stored for family members to pick up on the next visit.
- Residents cannot borrow or lend clothing or other personal belongings.
- For infection control purposes, flip-flops should be worn when taking a shower.
- Personal flat irons, curling irons, and hair dryers may be used with staff supervision as approved by the unit.
- Male residents can shave facial hair under staff supervision. Female residents will use Veet, a hair removal lotion.
