May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month for over 70 years and is a time to raise awareness about mental and behavioral health issues. There are resources and tools available to you and your incarcerated loved ones all year round; the support doesn’t need to stop at the end of the month.
In 2022, the National Alliance on Mental Illness reported that 2 in 5 people who are incarcerated have a history of mental illness (37% in state and federal prisons and 44% held in local jails). Nearly 66% of women in prison reported having a history of mental illness, almost twice the percentage of men in prison. However, less than a quarter of these individuals receive treatment during incarceration. As a loved one of an incarcerated individual, it’s important to talk about the challenges, stigmas, and needed solutions around mental illness.
ViaPath Technologies offers several resources to help address the emotional and mental health of your incarcerated loved ones. These resources can also support successful reintegration when it is time for their release.
- Dr. Christian Conte – ViaPath partners with one of the country’s most accomplished mental health experts in the field of anger and emotional management to provide exclusive content for incarcerated individuals and correctional institutions.
- Breaking Free Group – since 2020, ViaPath offers the “Breaking Free from Substance Abuse” digital program on tablets to assist in achieving and maintaining recovery from dependence on over 70 different substances.
- Free Mental Health Resources – available through ViaPath tablets, incarcerated individuals living with mental health concerns can access a variety of free resources that include cognitive behavioral health therapy, parenting while incarcerated, mindfulness-based substance abuse treatment, anger management, and more.
For the family and friends on the outside, there are many national organizations focused on getting help for individuals suffering from mental illness, ensuring their safety and well-being:
- NAMI Stepping Up Initiative – Brings together mental health organizations, substance abuse organizations, and law enforcement associations to divert people with mental illness from incarceration into treatment.
- Mental Health Channel – A free online network of inspiring documentary videos on various mental health topics.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – Provides a location-based list of substance abuse and mental health treatment.
- Give an Hour – Offers free and confidential mental health care to all populations through a network of professional volunteers.
Additionally, ViaPath recognizes the importance of maintaining connections when addressing mental health and continues to offer our free weekly communications program allowing incarcerated individuals consistent contact with their loved ones to receive support and aid in maintaining a positive outlook.
“Just because no one else can heal or do your inner work for you, doesn’t mean you can, should, or need to do it alone.” – Lisa Olivera
Prioritizing mental health is essential to overall wellbeing. ViaPath Technologies encourages everyone to reach out to your loved ones to give and/or receive support.
The information provided in this post is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions or diseases. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have if you are experiencing depression or any other medical condition. ViaPath Technologies does not control or take responsibility for the content or information on any external website not managed by ViaPath.
