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
Please do not bring any new or expensive clothes, since we are not responsible for lost, missing, or damaged items. Please mark all belongings with the child’s name or initials using a permanent marker (available on the unit). Please take home all winder coats and suitcases since our storage space is limited. Even though we have washers and dryers on the unit, please do not exceed the following recommended amount of clothing and personal items:
Recommended Amount of Clothing and Personal Items
- 4 Changes of causal, washable outfits (No provocative clothing, no drawstrings, no hooded sweatshirts)
- 4 Pairs of underwear and socks (no bras with underwires)
- 1 Each of the following personal items like soap, shampoo and lotion (as long as it doesn’t contain alcohol, are non-aerosol, and are in small plastic containers)
ITEMS TO LEAVE AT HOME
Please do NOT bring the following items for patient safety:
- Aerosol deodorants, hairsprays, 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, or shoes with shoestrings
- Bra wire
- Camera, cell phones
- Cigarettes, 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 items
- Inappropriate literature
- Jewelry of any kind, body jewelry
- Keys, wallets, purses, or any personal identification cards
- Knives or any other dangerous or sharp items, glass
- Make-up, perfume, cologne, after shave
- Markers, pencils, pens, or paper clips
- Needles of any type (ex: sewing, knitting, crocheting)
- Painting sets
- Pillows
- Plastic bags
- Trading cards, playing cards, or any game boards
- Radio, stereo or any other electronics, tape recorders
- Walkman, iPhones, iPods or iPads, MP3 players
- Televisions or computers
- Safety pins, razors, tweezers, nail or hair clippers
- Scarves (unless medically necessary)
- Scissors, protractors
- Spiral notebooks, metal binders
- Clothing with alcohol, drug, tobacco, or offensive language
- Valuables of any kind
- Wigs or hair pieces (unless medically necessary)
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 no-cost, confidential assessments. You can also use our online contact form for program inquiries.
In case of emergency, please dial 911 or seek the nearest emergency room right away.