WellPower’s Post

🗞 Our chief executive, Campbell Robb, in The Guardian: "Holding people with mental health needs in isolation is completely wrong. These are vulnerable people at a moment of crisis – they deserve support, treatment and stability, not to be made to pay the price for our overstretched prison and health services.” https://lnkd.in/exRh2Rqs #Nacrocomment #media #press #prisons #resettlement #mentalhealth #selfharm #prisonassaults #prisonleavers #prison #custody #prisonselfharm #justicesystem #criminaljusticesystem #prisonisolation #isolation #mentalhealthneeds

Veterans involved in the justice system face heightened risks of suicide. This sobering reality underscores the urgent need for targeted support and resources. Understanding the research findings is crucial in guiding interventions and fostering research initiatives to address the vulnerabilities of this at-risk population. It's imperative that we prioritize the mental health and well-being of justice-involved veterans and work towards comprehensive solutions to support them effectively. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gaxGqUbb #VeteranSupport #MentalHealthAwareness #JusticeSystem #SuicidePrevention

Correctional facilities are not an appropriate environment for persons experiencing significant mental health issues. Period! We need additional community mental health services, as well as, humane, safe, and secure, community mental health beds to support those suffering from acute mental illnesses. It's taken me a few days to begin to process the 57 recommendations made by the jury as part of the coroner’s inquest into the tragic death of Soleiman Faqiri. Sadly, many of these recommendations have been made before. My hope is that this time, implementation will follow. A commitment to review recommendations is one thing. Courageous leadership to implement them is what is needed now. This courageous leadership needs to come from the ministries of Health, the Attoney General, and the Solicitor General. I was honored to provide witness testimony as part of this inquest. I know things can be better for both the residents and staff working in corrections if we lead with courage and start tackling the difficult systemic issues plaguing our criminal and social justice systems.

This needs addressing urgently.

A most important interview

My latest OP-ED on the government failing to meet the first recommendation into my brother Soleiman Faqiri's Inquest: “As we reflect on Soleiman’s life, it’s crucial to remember that this is not a fictional story but the real life of a person who was a son, a brother, an uncle and a Canadian. Soleiman’s tragic death must serve as a catalyst for change and it begins with the Premier’s apology to my family. The government’s silence and inaction in the wake of Soleiman’s inquest cannot be the final word. The government owes it to all Ontarians, particularly those vulnerable individuals facing mental health challenges, to provide a system that protects rather than endangers their lives. These recommendations are not just about rectifying a past wrong; they are about fundamentally transforming a system that has failed too many. These changes won’t bring my mother’s son back, but they can pave the way for a correctional system that directs those with mental health challenges to appropriate care facilities, rather than delivering them back to their families in a coffin.” The OP-ED can be read here: https://t.co/bbEwonCqr2

The case of Kaiyere Campbell is just one example of a competency crisis that extends far beyond Tarrant County. Across the nation, individuals with mental health challenges are disproportionately represented in our criminal justice system, often lacking access to appropriate care and support. This systemic failure highlights the urgent need for comprehensive reform to ensure that vulnerable individuals receive the treatment and assistance they need, rather than being incarcerated without understanding their situation. #MentalHealthReform #JusticeForAll #CompetencyCrisis

Interesting study / experiment on prisoners : The scientist found: Improved Mental Health: Within months, levels of depression and anxiety dropped significantly. The comfortable environment and access to counseling played a big role. Better Social Behavior: Inmates were more respectful towards each other and the staff. The positive environment seemed to encourage better behavior. Educational Achievement: Many inmates took advantage of the educational workshops. There was a noticeable improvement in literacy and vocational skills. Lower Recidivism Rates: Perhaps the most significant finding was the drop in recidivism rates. Fewer inmates returned to prison after their release. Perhaps, replacing the lottery program with incentives for the winner to stay at luxury hotels? #SocialEquity

CW: Self harm, suicide. “[Prisons and jails] breed mental instability and are unequipped to deal with the number of individuals who need help…It may be easier for those contemplating suicide to put their trust in a fellow incarcerated person, but we can’t replace the mental health staff who are almost always overwhelmed by the needs of hundreds of individuals housed in these prisons.” Read this powerful reflection piece on the challenges of providing and accessing mental health support behind bars. #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth

If we could follow Fritzi Horstman & her Compassion Prison Project. If you're a Warden, CO, or in the field, please check out her page. Learn about ACEs (adverse childhood experiences)