Hillsdale, MI, November 20, 2025: The Hillsdale County Community Foundation Y.O.U.T.H. Advisory Council has selected youth mental health as its awareness project for the 2025–2026 school year. Motivated by the growing need for meaningful emotional support among students, the Y.O.U.T.H. members envisioned a new, more personal way to deliver comfort, connection, and coping tools to students experiencing stress or anxiety.
The group designed and assembled 500 student wellness kits, which were distributed to counselors who service every public school in Hillsdale County. “The Y.O.U.T.H. Advisory Council wanted to create something tangible, something a student can hold onto in moments of stress,” said Advisor Mindy Eggleston. “Our youth leaders recognized that in today’s often impersonal world, small tools can make a big impact.”
To best support students across grade levels, the Y.O.U.T.H. Advisory Council created two versions of the kits. Each wellness kit, regardless of grade level, included:
- A journal and #YouMatter pen – Journaling has been shown to boost mood, strengthen self-awareness, and reduce symptoms of anxiety or depression, especially before stressful events such as exams.
- A stress ball – Squeezing a stress ball activates nerves and muscles in the hand, helping strengthen the nervous system and reduce stress hormones.
- Kleenex tissues – For comfort during emotional moments.
- Lip balm – A small care item that helps students feel grounded.
- Stickers – Positive, encouraging reminders students can place on personal items.
- A worry stone – A calming sensory tool students can rub or hold when feeling overwhelmed.
- Breathing exercise cards – Simple, guided techniques designed to help regulate emotions in stressful moments.
- A QR code linking to the Hillsdale County resource directory for additional services.
The Y.O.U.T.H. customized the kits by age group. Younger Student Kits (tied with a ribbon) also included a coloring book and crayons. Kits for older students included a second journal (plain paper) and colored pencils, for doodling, sketching, and expressive art to support self-regulation and emotional expression.
Every item in the kit was intentionally chosen by members of the YAC. Research shows that simple, hands-on coping strategies, like journaling, doodling, deep breathing, or using sensory tools, can reduce stress and improve emotional resilience in children and teens.
For example, journaling can boost mood and decrease symptoms of depression or anxiety before important events (like an exam). Stress balls stimulate nerves and muscles in the hand, helping strengthen the nervous system and regulate stress hormones. These evidence-based tools empower students to manage their stress in healthy, constructive ways.
The Hillsdale County Community Foundation Y.O.U.T.H. Advisory Council is proud to support local school counselors with resources they can distribute at their discretion. These kits are designed to assist students who may need a moment of calm, reassurance, or grounding during the school day.
“We are grateful for the counselors who serve our students each day,” Samantha Meyer added. “We hope these kits help make their work just a little easier and provide meaningful comfort to students who need it.”
The Hillsdale County Community Foundation YOUTH was established in October of 1991. The YOUTH Advisory Council has an ongoing program for studying the assets, needs, and concerns of the young people of Hillsdale County. YOUTH has a special endowment fund, initially made possible by a challenge grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, to make available grant dollars to benefit and involve young people in Hillsdale County.
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2025-2026 YAC | Camden-Frontier Schools: Alaina Lautermilch, Brandy Neill – Secretary; Hillsdale High School: Aniston Duff, Marissa Todd, Cheyanne Welch; Hillsdale Academy: Iain Gaebler, Eliza Roberts; Homeschool: Eve Goodlife – President, Leo Goodlife; Jonesville High School: Harper James – Treasurer, Julia Mandrelle; Litchfield High School: Noah Eichler; North Adams-Jerome: Carly Beach; Pittsford High School: Brielle Clark, Alivia Hoover; Reading High School: Leah Headley, Ava Potter – Vice President; Will Carleton Academy: Ben Draper, David Maier
Contact:
Mindy Eggleston, Program Director/Youth Advisor
Samantha Meyer, Program Officer/Youth Advisor
Hillsdale County Community Foundation
(517) 439-5101
m.eggleston@abouthccf.org
s.meyer@abouthccf.org