Earlier this month, we recognized World Mental Health Day – a time to raise awareness of the mental health issues individuals face every day and support efforts to mobilize and better support mental health care worldwide.
While the numbers are staggering when it comes to mental health diagnosis and treatments across the globe, there is a population that oftentimes goes unnoticed – those who are incarcerated and, more specifically, those who are in the process of reentering the community post-release.
According to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, more than 600,000 individuals are released from state and federal prisons each year. Of those who are released, many face obstacles and challenges as they work to reintegrate back into society – mental health being one of the top challenges.
According to a 2014 report from the American Psychological Association, mental health issues among today’s incarcerated populations have become more prevalent with each passing year – with 64% of jail inmates, 54% of state prisoners and 45% of federal prisoners reporting mental health concerns.
Transition of any kind is never an easy process – it is human nature to feel uncomfortable in times of change and many people experience difficulties adjusting to their new “normal,” even under the best of circumstances.
However, the transition from incarceration back into society post-release is a unique case – it requires an enormous amount of self-discipline, fortitude and support on all levels. When you compound that transition with other external factors – like addiction, employment, securing stable housing, family reunification and more – it is not surprising that the mental health of the individual is truly put to the test.
Community corrections programs, like the ones offered by the Reentry Coalition of New Jersey’s six agency members, also offer a solution and additional support by taking into account the unique circumstances of each incarcerated individual – working to address each of their personalized needs as a way to help ease their transition back into the community and set them up on a path towards long-term success.
Knowing the critical impact that mental health has on an individual’s long-term reentry success, our agency members include mental health services and supports into the core services they provide to their residents and clients. However, some of our agency members also offer specialized programs designed to address the specific mental health needs of certain populations. For instance, our agency member Volunteers of America Delaware Valley offers the PROMISE (Program for Returning Offenders with Mental Illness Safely and Effectively) program in partnership with the New Jersey State Parole Board – designed to address the unique needs of both male and female individuals who are exiting the criminal justice system and have chronic mental health conditions.
By providing a full spectrum of supportive services, that include physical and mental health, and then setting up a solid linkage to these services post-release, our agency members are helping to break down barriers to success, while, more importantly, improving the health and wellbeing of each client in their care.
To help connect individuals to services easily, we at the Reentry Coalition of New Jersey, have compiled a comprehensive list of statewide and county resources, including mental health support, on our website: https://reentrycoalitionofnj.org/resources/.
However, if you or a loved one are currently incarcerated and looking for immediate mental health services as you transition back into society after release, contact us at the Reentry Coalition of New Jersey today. Let us connect you with the professional support and services you may need on your second chance at life: https://reentrycoalitionofnj.org/contact/.
