How to Help an Incarcerated Loved One Who Has Mental Health Difficulties

Thousands of people with mental health difficulties are incarcerated every day. Some of them are aware of these issues before prison, while some only realize the depth of these problems once incarcerated. Others develop mental health issues once they are in jail. Since the prison system can take a significant toll on mental health, it’s essential we reach out.

Staying In Touch

Prisoners can receive letters, books, magazines, and other gifts while incarcerated, but only inmates can dial outgoing calls. Family members or friends who want to speak to a loved one must set up a schedule with them either by phone or mail. You can also send money by Internet, phone, or through the mail with JPAY or set up a time to meet with an inmate in person.

Example: Louisiana

Louisiana prisons and jails work similarly to other penitentiaries across the United States. When you correspond with an inmate over mail, you must know the inmate’s name, ID number, the name of the facility, and the full address of the jail or prison. If you want to conduct an inmate search to receive these details, search the Louisiana department of corrections database.

Books and magazines can be sent through a third-party approved vendor like Amazon.com, and you can send money to an inmate via walk-in, Internet, mail, and phone. 

How to Help an Incarcerated Loved One With Mental Illness

Mental illness is common in the prison system. The American Psychological Association estimates that 64% of jail inmates, 54% of individuals in state prisons, and 45% of the incarcerated in federal prisons have at least one mental illness. Here’s how you can help them.

Ask Them to Take Care of Themselves

This doesn’t mean you should ask your loved ones to take care of their mental illness by themselves. When we’re depressed, we tend to neglect our own self-interests and health. Reminding them to stick to a regular hygiene routine can improve mental health.

• Ask if they eat enough in the day, or remind them to eat.
• Remind them to stay hydrated.
• Tell your loved one to choose healthy food options, if available.

Tell them you’re looking out for their interests and that you love and care for them.

Tell Your loved One You’re Here for Them

Being in prison or jail is a terrifying experience. With that in mind, your loved one isn’t going to adjust to prison right away and needs outside support to stay strong. Leave an open dialog for your loved one by encouraging frequent phone calls, emails, in-person meetings, and letters.

Most Inmates Can Ask for Help on the Inside

Help can come in multiple forms. Plenty of inmates have received great advice from other prisoners who had to adjust to new life on the inside. Sometimes speaking to other inmates can help your loved ones receive closure. If they need more help, ask your loved one to seek a healthcare professional’s aid within the jail or prison.

Stay Positive, Stay Mindful

Staying positive isn’t going to be easy, especially when a prison sentence can last multiple years, but all feelings create behaviors, and those behaviors reinforce those thoughts. Becoming more aware and self-disciplined can help your loved ones break through harmful thought patterns that aren’t serving them. Ask them to build a list of phrases to use, like these:

• I am worth more than I think.
• I have survived before. I can survive again.
• I can laugh.
• I can learn from this.

Humans have the tremendous power of persevering through tough times.

Encourage Them to Keep Their Body and Brain Active

Regular physical exercise can help your family member or spouse’s mental health because it lowers the risk of depression. Setting active goals, like losing 10 pounds or gaining muscle mass, can help them stay motivated. Also, suggest taking up a new skill, like art, gardening, sudoku, or cooking, or join a mentor program that can aid in career development.