My Mental Health First Aid Kit – A Personalised Toolkit for Emotional Well-being

Everyone experiences moments of sadness, anxiety, anger, or overwhelm, but having a plan in place can make all the difference. My Mental Health First Aid Kit is a creative and personalised resource that helps children build a toolkit of self-care strategies, calming techniques, and coping mechanisms they can turn to when they need support.

This engaging activity empowers young people to identify what helps them feel safe, calm, and in control, giving them a tangible reminder that they have the tools they need to navigate challenging emotions.

About This Resource

This printable Mental Health First Aid Kit is designed to be a personal and adaptable emotional well-being resource. Using simple prompts, children and teens can write or draw their go-to coping strategies inside their "kit," creating a visual reminder of their self-care tools. The final product can be displayed somewhere accessible, stored for future use, or even shared with a trusted adult.

By taking ownership of their mental health in this hands-on way, young people develop greater self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and resilience, learning to regulate their emotions more effectively.

Features

• Printable template to design a personalised Mental Health First Aid Kit.
• Guided prompts to help children and teens reflect on what supports their emotional well-being.
• Encourages creativity—space to write, draw, and personalise their toolkit.
• Adaptable and flexible—can be used in various settings, from schools to therapy sessions to home.
• Encourages self-reflection and independence in managing mental health.
• Suitable for all ages—ideal for children and teens who need support to manage big emotions.

Benefits

• Encourages Self-Awareness – Helps young people identify what strategies work best for them.
• Promotes Emotional Regulation – Provides a structured way to manage overwhelming emotions.
• Reduces Stress and Anxiety – A calming activity that encourages problem-solving during difficult moments.
• Promotes a Sense of Control – Having a personal toolkit reminds children they have resources at their disposal when emotions feel too big.
• Encourages Independence and Self-Care – Empowers young people to take an active role in their emotional well-being.
• Acts as a Physical Reminder – Keeping the First Aid Kit in an accessible place serves as a visual cue that support is always available.

How to Use

1. Print the Mental Health First Aid Kit template – Provide copies to students, children, or anyone creating their own kit.
2. Introduce the concept – Discuss how we prepare first aid kits for physical health, and how we can do the same for our mental health.
3. Complete the prompts – Encourage children to think about what helps them when they feel overwhelmed and fill in their kit with words or drawings.
4. Personalise it – Allow space for creativity! Colour it in, add extra notes, or decorate it with stickers.
5. Keep it in an accessible place – Encourage your children to display or store their kit somewhere they can easily reach during moments of distress.
6. Use as a reflection tool – Regularly revisit the First Aid Kit to see what strategies continue to work and what new ones might be added over time.

Ideas for Use

• Classroom Activity: A great PSHE or mental health lesson to teach self-regulation and coping strategies.
• Therapeutic Tool: Counsellors and therapists can use this resource in sessions to help children articulate their emotional needs.
• At-Home Self-Care Practise: Parents can use this activity to open discussions about emotions and well-being with their children.
• Group Workshops: Use in youth groups or mental health awareness events to encourage emotional literacy.

My Mental Health First Aid Kit is an empowering and creative resource that helps young people identify, trial, and store coping strategies for times of emotional distress. By building their own self-care toolkit, they create a practical and meaningful reminder that they have the tools they need to manage difficult emotions. Download now and start creating a go-to mental health support system today!