The barriers and facilitators to serious mental illness: Recovery postincarceration

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Criminology
• Social Work

Background:

• Effective treatments exist for serious mental illness (SMI) in the general population.
• Limited research explores the recovery process for individuals with SMI and a history of incarceration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore barriers and facilitators to recovery for individuals with SMI and a history of incarceration.
• To understand the impact of incarceration on the mental health recovery journey.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative, grounded theory study.
• 17 men and women with SMI and incarceration history participated.
• Data collected on identity, treatment, relationships, community, and institutional factors.

Main Results:

• Incarceration presents substantial barriers to recovery for individuals with SMI.
• Participants identified facilitators and opportunities for personal growth despite incarceration.
• Key areas influencing recovery included identity, treatment access, social relationships, community integration, and institutional experiences.

Conclusions:

• Preventing incarceration for individuals with SMI is crucial.
• Multidisciplinary care (medical, mental health, substance use) during and post-incarceration is vital.
• Addressing incarceration-specific factors and improving prison reform are necessary for better recovery outcomes.