Packing List
We want your child to feel as comfortable as possible during their stay at Garfield Park Behavioral Hospital, while still maintaining a secure environment. Please review the lists below to learn about the items you should pack for your child’s stay and the items that should be left at home.
We will provide hygiene supplies (toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc.) for your child. If your child brings something that the treatment team believes is not safe for the unit, they will contact you and ask that you take it home.
ITEMS TO BRING TO THE HOSPITAL
Clothing and Personal Items to Bring for Your Child
- Please do not bring any expensive personal items for your child.
- Please ensure all belongings are labeled with the child’s name or initials using a permanent marker.
- Please take home all winter coats, suitcases or any items that exceed the capacity noted below.
Recommended Amount of Clothing and Personal Items
- 2-3 changes of casual, washable outfits (no provocative clothing, no drawstrings, no hooded or button sweatshirts)
- 2-3 pairs of underwear and socks (no bras with underwires)
- 1-2 books (no spiral, mental binds, hard plastic, wood or staples)
- 1 travel size of each of the following personal items (i.e. body wash, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, lotion) (cannot contain alcohol, aerosol or be in plastic containers)
- 1 stuffed animal (cannot have hard eyes, zippers or any openings)
ITEMS TO LEAVE AT HOME
Please do NOT bring the following contraband items listed below (that includes but is not limited to) for patient safety:
- Aerosol deodorants, hairsprays, body spray, perfume, cologne etc.
- Alcohol or any products containing alcohol
- Balloons, bath salts (ex: ivory wave, vanilla sky, cloud 9, etc.)
- Baseball caps or any clothing with a hood
- Belts, strings from clothing
- Blankets or comforters
- Boots, heavy shoes, shoes with shoestrings or shoes with hard bottoms
- Bra with wire
- Camera, cell phones, Meta glasses, tablets, watches
- Cigarettes, vapes, lighters or matches
- Clothes hangers, detergents of any kind
- Clay projects, comic books with violent, sexual or sexist themes
- Curling irons, hair dryers, any electronic appliance
- Flowers or plants
- Games, board games, puzzles, video games
- Glass items or mirrors
- Hard plastic or any metal items
- Inappropriate literature (cursing, sexual, vulgar)
- Jewelry of any kind, body jewelry
- Keys, wallets, purses or any personal identification cards
- Knives or any other dangerous or sharp items
- Lashes
- Make-up, perfume, cologne, aftershave
- Markers, pencils, pens or paper clips
- Needles of any type (ex: sewing, knitting, crocheting)
- Painting sets, pens, pencils
- Pillows, plastic bags
- Trading cards, playing cards or any game boards
- Televisions or computers
- Radio, stereo, tape recorders or any other electronic devices
- Safety pins, razors, tweezers, nail or hair clippers
- Scarfs (unless medically necessary)
- Scissors, protractors
- Spiral notebooks, metal binders
- Clothing with alcohol, drugs, tobacco or offensive language
- Valuables of any kind
Please do NOT bring any food, candy or money to the hospital for your child. All meals and snacks are provided.
Take the First Step
Call 773-265-3700 if you or a loved one is experiencing a psychiatric emergency. We are available 24/7 to discuss treatment options and provide level of care, confidential assessments. You can also use our online contact form for program inquiries.
In case of a mental health crisis, call 988 or seek the nearest emergency room.