:fb: So many inmates male and female are released everyday into a cold and unfeeling world. In prison they are told what to do when to do it and how to do it. Those who have mental health problems while not neccessarily recieving the correct medications are at least recieving some type of mind numbing, life slowing medication.

All of sudden they are in a fast world, on a slow boat and without a clue where they should go and who they should see. One of the main problems beyond food, housing, and employment, is mental health. Where can they obtrain mental health from caring individuals?

I am not afraid to admit I do not have a clue beyond our regular ole mental health agencies who are overworked and overcrowded.

If you have any idea where an inmate may go in any state or city and recieve mental health help. If you know of meetings that they may attend. If you know of a person who is truly interested in mental health problems of the newly released inmate on any level please get in touch with me.

My organization and I are putting a brochure together for newly released inmates and we are sorely in need of information. Please help us to help the inmate in need. Yours truly, Sandra L. Baker Northern California Coordinator/Surviving the System Inc. :D

I think the reason you haven't had any replies is because no one knows the answer to your question. If you don't have money, you are stuck with whatever you can get free through the government.

Maybe a church or charitable organization can help. I don't know.

One mental health problem a lot of prisoners have is anti-social personality. They just can't obey the rules society imposes on everyone. They are irresponsible and manipulative.

It is, unfortunately, very difficult to treat even if you can get help or do have money.

I think the Counties/Cities all follow state guidelines for health don't they? At least I think that's how it is in CA...I think I've heard that recently released inmates can go to county mental health centers (if they're not taken there directly upon release) to get meds and consulatations.

Good luck on finding someone who cares. Sorry to sound cynical but from what I've seen of the mental health services for inmates, they are really disgraceful and shameful. Wth all of the budget cut-backs state mental health agencies are really suffering. Myself, I would try to find a private facility or perhaps Community Mental Health could recommend some support groups or whatever. I guess it all depends on exactly what kind of services the inmate needs. Medication? Group therapy? Help learning new coping skills or just readjusting to society?

I can't speak for anyone else but I am a mental health professional that works in a county mental health center and I CARE about each and every individual who walks through that door. You can find apathetic staff in public or private practices . I have worked in both the public and private sector and my experience has been for the most part private practices are in it for the $$- THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS-especially grass roots organizations and/or those funded primarily by grants. I see a lot of ex-inmates and I think the KEY is arranging services PRIOR to release, particularly for those SPMI inmates who are on psychotropic medications-In my experience the discharge planning from prison is the area that really needs a complete rehaul