More Than Clothing: How Adapted Apparel Supports Mental Health for Kids and Teens in Treatment By Zip With Us®

For children, teens, and young adults facing cancer or other serious illnesses, medical treatment impacts far more than just the body — it deeply affects mental health. Beyond the physical toll, patients can experience fear, isolation, loss of identity, and anxiety from hospital stays, invasive procedures, and losing their sense of normalcy.

Mental health challenges are especially common in young patients:

• Up to 50% of teens and young adults with cancer experience symptoms of depression or anxiety during treatment.

• Hospitalization can lead to feelings of loss of control, vulnerability, and disconnection from peers and daily life.

• The mental health burden often extends long after treatment ends.

How Clothing Plays a Role

At Zip With Us®, we believe every patient deserves to feel comfortable, safe, and seen. That belief is stitched into every adapted garment we create — from ZipShirts™ to Drew's Cruisers™ to our newest adapted sleep sacks.

Research backs this up:

• A study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that thoughtfully designed patient clothing can alleviate stress and negative emotions, contributing to psychological and physiological stability.

• Traditional hospital gowns often leave patients feeling exposed, vulnerable, and stripped of their identity. Adaptive clothing helps preserve dignity and allows for self-expression.

• Additional research shows that appropriately fitted adaptive clothing increases happiness, self-esteem, and social participation in young people with medical or physical challenges.

How Zip With Us® Helps Reduce Anxiety

We design adapted medical apparel that allows patients to:

• Stay dressed during treatments and procedures.

• Choose designs that reflect their personality, favorite colors, or interests.

• Feel in control of a part of their appearance during a time when so much is out of their control.

• Maintain a sense of normalcy while staying safe and comfortable.

Every adapted garment from Zip With Us® is more than just clothing — it’s a reminder that comfort, dignity, and emotional well-being matter in medical care.

What Else Can Support Mental Health During Treatment?

While adaptive clothing plays a powerful role, there are additional ways to enhance mental well-being for young patients:

• Creating calm, comforting, and familiar sensory-friendly hospital spaces.

• Offering creative outlets like art, journaling, or music therapy.

• Facilitating social connection with friends or peer support groups

• Respecting privacy, autonomy, and age-appropriate independence

• Providing activities that promote positive engagement and distraction during treatments.

We are committed to making sure that every patient knows they matter far beyond their diagnosis. When medical care is paired with dignity, choice, and comfort — healing becomes about the whole person, not just the illness.