At the Center for Suicide Awareness, we are committed to offering practical, compassionate tools that support mental health, resilience, and hope.
Healing is not one-size-fits-all. It often comes through a combination of connection, care, professional support, and small daily practices that help us feel grounded again.
One simple wellness resource many individuals find helpful is essential oils.
While essential oils are not a treatment for mental illness or a replacement for professional care, they can be a gentle, supportive tool that contributes to emotional regulation, relaxation, and moments of calm in everyday life.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts derived from flowers, herbs, leaves, and roots. For centuries, cultures around the world have used aromatic plant oils in calming rituals, stress relief practices, and wellness routines.
Today, many individuals use essential oils as part of a broader mental health toolbox — especially for grounding during anxiety, supporting sleep, and creating comforting sensory routines.
How Essential Oils Can Support Mental Wellness
1. Creating Calm in Stressful Moments
Certain scents may help signal safety and comfort to the brain. Deep breathing paired with soothing aromas can be a gentle way to reduce tension and calm the nervous system.
Many people find oils like:
- Lavender
- Chamomile
- Bergamot
to be especially supportive during stressful moments.
2. Supporting Sleep and Rest
Sleep challenges are incredibly common for individuals navigating stress, trauma, or emotional exhaustion.
Essential oils can become part of a bedtime routine that tells the body: it’s time to rest.
Popular oils for sleep support include:
- Lavender
- Cedarwood
- Vetiver
A few drops in a diffuser or on a pillow can help create a calming environment for rest.
3. Grounding During Anxiety or Overwhelm
When anxiety spikes, sensory tools can help bring us back into the present moment. Scent is one of the strongest sensory pathways connected to memory and emotion.
Oils such as:
- Frankincense
- Eucalyptus
- Lavender
may help individuals feel steadier, safer, and more grounded.
Peppermint: A Supportive Oil for Clarity and Focus
While many oils are known for calming, peppermint is often used for something slightly different: mental clarity and alertness.
When stress rises, the brain can enter “survival mode,” making it harder to think clearly or problem-solve. In those moments, peppermint’s crisp, energizing scent may help some individuals feel more present and connected to their logical, steady mind.
Peppermint may support:
- Focus and concentration
- Mental clarity during brain fog
- A sense of alertness
- Grounding during emotional overwhelm
For many, it acts as a gentle “reset” when emotions feel intense.
Quick Peppermint Grounding Practice:
- Inhale from a cotton ball or aromatherapy inhaler
- Take a slow breath in
- Exhale fully
- Repeat 2–3 times while noticing something you can see, hear, or feel
Roll-Ons & Sprays: Simple Ways to Use Essential Oils Daily
One of the most accessible ways to incorporate essential oils into a wellness routine is through pre-made roll-ons and calming sprays.
These options are portable, easy to use, and don’t require a diffuser — making them especially helpful for everyday coping.
Carrier Oils: The Key to Safe Skin Use
Essential oils are powerful and highly concentrated, which means they should almost always be diluted before applying to the skin.
That’s where carrier oils come in.
Carrier oils are gentle, neutral oils that “carry” essential oils safely onto the skin while also moisturizing and preventing irritation.
Some of the most commonly used carrier oils include:
- Sweet Almond Oil – lightweight, soothing, and widely available
- Jojoba Oil – similar to the skin’s natural oils, great for sensitive skin
- Apricot Kernel Oil – soft, gentle, and absorbs beautifully
- Fractionated Coconut Oil – one of the most popular for roll-ons because it stays liquid and has little to no scent
Carrier oils make blends safer, longer-lasting, and easier to apply.
Simple dilution reminder (for most adults):
- 8–10 drops essential oil
- 10 ml roller bottle
- Fill the rest with carrier oil
If skin is sensitive, start with fewer drops.
Carrier oils are also easy to find online (including Amazon). Look for:
Pure, cold-pressed options
Unscented and additive-free
Clear labeling and quality reviews
Essential Oil Roll-Ons (On-the-Go Comfort)
Roll-ons are small bottles with a rollerball top that allow you to apply diluted oils safely throughout the day.
Many people use roll-ons for:
- Stress relief during the workday
- Grounding during anxiety
- Bedtime relaxation routines
- Quick sensory coping support
Common application areas include:
- Wrists
- Back of the neck
- Shoulders
- Chest (avoid face and eyes)
How to Make a Simple Roll-On at Home
You’ll need:
- A 10 ml rollerball bottle
- A carrier oil (almond, jojoba, apricot, or fractionated coconut)
- Essential oils of your choice
Basic calming recipe:
- 8–10 drops Lavender
- 3–5 drops Bergamot (optional)
- Fill the rest with carrier oil
Shake gently to blend.
Peppermint Focus Blend:
- 5 drops Peppermint
- 5 drops Lavender (for balance)
- Carrier oil to fill
Purchasing Roll-Ons Online (Amazon & Retail Options)
If DIY isn’t your preference, many people purchase pre-made roll-ons online.
When shopping, look for:
Clearly labeled ingredients
Pre-diluted formulas safe for skin
Dark glass bottles
Brands with strong reviews and transparency
Helpful search terms:
- “Lavender essential oil roll-on”
- “Calming aromatherapy roll-on blend”
- “Peppermint focus roll-on”
Calming Sprays: Comfort for Sleep & Space
Essential oil sprays are another gentle way to introduce supportive scent into your environment.
Many people use sprays for:
- Pillow mist before bedtime
- Relaxation in a bedroom or office
- Grounding during overwhelm
- Refreshing calming routines throughout the day
How to Make a Simple Linen or Room Spray
You’ll need:
- 2 oz glass spray bottle
- Distilled water
- 1 teaspoon witch hazel or vodka (helps oils blend)
- Essential oils
Basic calming spray recipe:
- 10 drops Lavender
- 5 drops Cedarwood or Chamomile
- Fill with distilled water
- Shake well before each use
Spray lightly onto pillows or into the air.
Purchasing Essential Oil Sprays Online
Amazon carries many ready-made pillow sprays and calming room mists.
Look for:
No artificial perfumes
Relaxation-focused blends
Transparent ingredient lists
Search terms:
- “Lavender essential oil pillow spray”
- “Aromatherapy calming mist”
A Trauma-Informed Reminder
Essential oils are best viewed as:
A sensory grounding tool
A small act of self-care
A supportive comfort practice
They are not a cure, and they work best alongside:
- Counseling and therapy
- Community connection
- Breathwork and mindfulness
- Crisis resources when needed
Everyone responds differently, and some scents may feel overstimulating or triggering. Wellness should always be personal, gentle, and optional.
Top 5 Essential Oils for Mental Wellness (Supportive Favorites)
A gentle sidebar guide
1. Lavender
Calming, widely used for stress relief and sleep support.
2. Peppermint
Clarifying and energizing — helpful for focus and grounding into the present.
3. Bergamot
Bright citrus oil often used to support mood and emotional balance.
4. Cedarwood
Warm and grounding — frequently used in bedtime routines.
5. Frankincense
A classic centering oil used in mindfulness and emotional regulation practices.
(Always dilute for skin use and choose reputable sources.)
Essential Oils in Our Wellness Resources
The Center for Suicide Awareness includes sensory-based coping tools in many of our outreach efforts, including mental wellness kits and supportive resources for veterans, first responders, and community members.
We believe healing happens through small, practical moments of care — and reminders that hope is always within reach.
You Are Not Alone
If you or someone you love is struggling, support is available.
Text HOPELINE™ to 741741
Free, confidential support — 24/7.
At the Center for Suicide Awareness, we will continue to offer safe, comforting resources that empower individuals to take one step at a time toward healing.
Because sometimes the smallest tools can help carry us through the hardest moments.
