An estimated 2 million times a year, people with serious mental health issues are jailed or incarcerated in the United States. Women are disproportionately affected, twice as often as men. For this population, incarceration can exacerbate pre-existing symptoms, says Carolina Estevez, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist in Miami.
“Often, incarcerated people receive inadequate medical care and mental health treatment,” says Dr. Estevez. “This lack of access to appropriate care can cause conditions to worsen over time. » She adds that the stigma this population faces from staff and peers can lead to increased psychological distress. In fact, 63% of incarcerated people with mental health issues don’t receive treatment — and for non-white people, their diagnosis puts them at greater risk of solitary confinement, injury, and longer sentences. .
The trauma and stress associated with incarceration has a potential snowball effect, exacerbating existing conditions and potentially contributing to new diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, PTSD and substance abuse, Dr. Estevez adds. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), people with mental health issues are more likely to be incarcerated. Additionally, those who benefit from health care coverage after release – and presumably the access to mental health services that this provides – may be less likely to reoffend.
