How to Pull Two Levers in Supporting Incarcerated Dads’ Mental Health

As I’ve mentioned more than once in this blog, there’s an opportunity for human service organizations to support incarcerated dads. Corrections and corrections-related systems and facilities are facing a massive shortage of personnel, some of whom run rehabilitative programs.

I was reminded of this opportunity when I ran across a recent meta-analysis of 32 studies on the impact of prisoners’ social connections on mental health—specifically anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The studies had a combined sample size of 10,613. Given that men constitute the majority of the prison population, and a substantial proportion of these men are dads, this research provides valuable insights relevant to incarcerated dads.

The researchers concluded that a lack of social connections led to the development of those mental health conditions or worsened them when already present. The researchers called for increased mental health support because it will ease prisoners’ reintegration into society.

Clearly, family can be a primary means of prisoners’ social support. When prisoners connect, or reconnect, and stay connected with family, it builds their resilience. As the researchers concluded, prisoners who are more resilient can better handle prison life. Family connections also reduce the risk of recidivism.

Peer relationships offer another means of prisoners’ social support. The researchers also concluded that peer-support programs serve a vital function in prisons. They build “an empathetic and supportive environment that helps prisoners navigate the unique stressors of incarceration.”

Programs like the evidence-based InsideOut Dad^® from National Fatherhood Initiative^® (NFI) leverage resilience within a peer-support framework. Independent evaluations show this group-based program:

• Builds pro-fathering awareness, knowledge, and skills
• Increases dad-child connections
• Decreases parental conflict
• Improves dads’ well-being (mental health)

It’s been so successful that some InsideOut Dad^® users have leveraged peer support further by tapping dads graduating from the program to facilitate future groups.

As we close out Mental Health Awareness Month, how can you support incarcerated dads’ mental health?

Did you know that in addition to InsideOut Dad^®, NFI has several brochures you can give to incarcerated dads that help build family connections. Check out How to Connect with Your Minor Child After a Long Absence, Staying Involved with Your Children While Incarcerated, 20 Ways to Connect with Your Children and Family After Release, and 14 Things Dads in Prison Should Do Before or Right After Release.