Coping Kits
CATCH Coping Kits give young people simple, accessible tools they can use to proactively manage stress, regulate emotions, and practice healthy coping strategies.
Designed for use in schools and other youth-serving environments, the kits help make coping skills something young people can learn, practice, and use when they need them. Initially, our volunteers developed the kits for graduating high school seniors in 2021 during the pandemic. Then, we expanded our kits and designed elementary school, junior high, and high school solutions.
Today, every incoming freshman in District 225, Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South, receive a kit as they transition into high school.
Funding Partners
Coping Kits are funded through a number of grants and donations and delivered to students at area schools for free.
2025-2026 Funding Partners
Thanks to generous financial support, CATCH provides Coping Kits to students at Glenbrook North (GBN) and Glenbrook South (GBS). The Village of Northbrook funds the GBN kits, while the Glenview Northbrook Coalition for Youth (GNCY) supports the GBS kits. We are deeply grateful for the continued partnership of these organizations and their shared commitment to the well-being of our high school students.
Historical Funding Partners
- Northbrook School Districts D28, D27, D30 and D31
- Highland Park High School
- Glenview Public Library Foundation
- Glenview/Northbrook Coalition for Youth (GNCY)
- Glenbrook High School Foundation
- Northfield Township
- Rotary Club of Northbrook
- Village of Northbrook
High School Coping Kits
Coping Kits offer students tangible items and written strategies to use when facing difficult emotions. Each kit contains items specifically chosen to help high school students feel in charge of their emotions and stay mindful and present when emotions get the best of them. Building and practicing these emotional regulation and mindfulness skills are essential for fostering resilience and independence when life’s inevitable challenges arise.
Below you’ll find; the kit content postcard, and kit posters. The postcard and posters can be downloaded. We also ask that students take 2 minutes to complete our brief survey.
Surveys
6th Grade Coping Kits
Retired Kit
Coping Kits offer students tangible items and written strategies to use when facing difficult emotions. Each kit contains items specifically chosen to help sixth grade students feel in charge of their emotions and stay mindful and present when big feelings arrive. Building these emotional regulation and mindfulness skills are essential for fostering resilience and independence when life’s inevitable challenges arise.
We encourage both parents and teachers to review this information to ensure your student is able to receive the full benefit of the tools in this kit. Below you’ll find; an explainer video, kit content postcard, and kit posters. The postcard and posters can be downloaded. We also ask that you take 2 minutes to complete our brief survey. It helps us continue to evolve the kit contents to meet the needs of our ever evolving students.
Kit Explainer Video
Students, teachers, and parents can watch this video to learn about the contents of the kit and how the items support a student’s brain and their big emotions.
Coping kits are typically distributed during the school day in conjunction with the CATCH video.
Surveys
Research has shown that when we teach coping skills to children, they are better able to pay attention in school, get along with peers, maintain friendships and manage emotions in difficult situations. As with anything, the more students practice these skills the easier it will be for them to use them when needed.
3rd Grade Coping Kits
Retired Kit
Coping Kits offer students tangible items and written strategies to use when facing difficult emotions. Each kit contains items specifically chosen to help third grade students feel in charge of their emotions and stay mindful and present when big feelings arrive. Building these emotional regulation and mindfulness skills are essential for fostering resilience and independence when life’s inevitable challenges arise.
We encourage both parents and teachers to review this information to ensure your student is able to receive the full benefit of the tools in this kit. Below you’ll find; an explainer video, kit content postcard, and kit poster. Both the postcard and poster can be downloaded. We also ask that you take 2 minutes to complete our brief survey. It helps us continue to evolve the kit contents to meet the needs of our ever evolving students.
Kit Explainer Video
Students, teachers, and parents can watch this video to learn about the contents of the kit and how the items support a student’s brain and their big emotions.
Coping kits are typically distributed during the school day in conjunction with the CATCH video.
Surveys
Research has shown that when we teach coping skills to children, they are better able to pay attention in school, get along with peers, maintain friendships and manage emotions in difficult situations. As with anything, the more students practice these skills the easier it will be for them to use them when needed.
