Chesterfield woman's mental health survival kits gain international attention

Megan Malham came up with the idea of her own survival kits, packed with soothing and sensory items for people struggling with their mental health, while lying in a hospital bed.

She says at that moment ‘something just clicked’ and she found herself ‘overwhelmed with ideas of how I could make boxes containing items to help people’.

Megan describes herself as ‘an ordinary girl with big ambitions to make a change in mental health’ and believes the kits are the perfect start to achieve her goals.

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She has battled mental health problems since she was a teenager and spent three years in hospital.

“One day I was feeling rather low in mood and asked if I had any post,” she said.

“In hospital, receiving something as little as a letter can brighten up your day. It makes you feel like you've been thought about.

“I have received a fantastic response, I never imagined so many people would come together to kick start my project.

“I started off by asking for donations either monetary or items that could go into the survival kits. In total I raised £286 which was so much more then I imagined! I began to buy as well as receive items through the post sent by generous individuals.

“So far there has been a lot of interest, most surprisingly from people in the Philippines and USA as well!

“Although unfortunately the cost of sending overseas is something I'm not able to facilitate right now, many boxes have already been sent to people across the UK. The feedback brings a massive smile to my face.”

Megan says she loves helping others and hopes to become an occupational therapist.

Her not-for-profit organisation relies on donations, and survival kits include items such as cuddly toys. toiletries, colouring books and also a leaflet full of tips about how to manage your mental health.

For more information, visit Megan’s Survival Kits on Facebook.