--- title: How to Pull Two Levers in Supporting Incarcerated Dads’ Mental Health description: Supporting incarcerated dads' mental health through family and peer connections can reduce recidivism and improve well-being. Learn how programs like InsideOut Dad® make a difference. image: https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/Images/Blog/NFI_Blog_two-levers-incarcerated-mental-health.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/2-levers-in-supporting-incarcerated-dads-mental-health#main) - [![NFI mark](https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI%20mark.svg)FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://www.fatherhood.org/) - [STORE.FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://store.fatherhood.org/) [![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=149&height=82&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=65&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=66&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=89&height=49&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ](https://www.fatherhood.org) - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Show submenu for Get Informed Get Informed - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - [Father Stats & Infographics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) - Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Find Your Stage of Father Inclusion](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-inclusion) - [How Father Friendly Is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Fatherhood Data & Statistics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - [How Father Friendly is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Other Free Resources](https://www.fatherhood.org/nfi-free-resources) - [Talk With us to Get Started](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) National Fatherhood Initiative Blog / [Latest Articles](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood) [incarcerated fathers](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/incarcerated-fathers) # How to Pull Two Levers in Supporting Incarcerated Dads’ Mental Health 1 min read ![Christopher A. Brown](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/chris_circle_icon.png?width=100&height=100&name=chris_circle_icon.png) [** Christopher A. Brown ** ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/author/christopher-a-brown) Chris serves as the President of National Fatherhood Initiative® (NFI), where he is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of NFI's strategic plan and business model, as well as its operations and fundraising efforts. ![NFI_Blog_two-levers-incarcerated-mental-health](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Blog/NFI_Blog_two-levers-incarcerated-mental-health.jpg?width=814&height=465&name=NFI_Blog_two-levers-incarcerated-mental-health.jpg) Image created using * Adobe Firefly.* As I’ve mentioned [more than once](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/dont-miss-this-chance-to-expand-your-organizations-impact) 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](https://stateline.org/2022/09/26/prison-staff-shortages-take-toll-on-guards-incarcerated-people/) of personnel, some of whom run rehabilitative programs. I was reminded of this opportunity when I ran across a [recent meta-analysis](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0033350624002543) 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](https://store.fatherhood.org/insideout-dad-facilitators-kit/)® from [National Fatherhood Initiative](https://www.fatherhood.org/)® (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*](https://store.fatherhood.org/brochure-how-to-connect-with-your-minor-child-after-a-long-absence-sp/), [*Staying Involved with Your Children While Incarcerated*](https://store.fatherhood.org/staying-involved-with-your-children-while-incarcerated-english-only/), [*20 Ways to Connect with Your Children and Family After Release*](https://store.fatherhood.org/20-ways-to-connect-with-your-children-and-family-after-release-english-only/), and [*14 Things Dads in Prison Should Do Before or Right After Release*](https://store.fatherhood.org/14-things-dads-in-prison-should-do-before-or-right-after-release-english-only/). Date Published: 05/27/2025 Last Updated: 05/27/2025 ## Learn How to Build a Fatherhood Program That Works Download this free guide for a proven 7-step roadmap—from making the case and securing funding for your program, to launching and measuring real results! [Get The Guide Now!](https://www.fatherhood.org/starting-a-fatherhood-program) ![7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program.png?width=700&height=700&name=7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program.png) [ Previous ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/3-practices-to-support-dads-during-mental-health-awareness-month) [ Next ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/4-tips-to-improve-dads-co-parenting) ## Related Articles ### [Florida Dad Fazil Finds Hope with the InsideOut Dad® Fatherhood Program A Florida father's story of hope began while he was incarcerated. Thanks to National Fatherhood Initiative® partner Operation New Hope, a dad named Fazil completed the InsideOut ... 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