A single instance of incarceration in a young person’s life increases the risk of future imprisonment, at a cost to taxpayers of $240.99 per day. Living in jail worsens the mental, emotional, and behavioral problems with which these children and adolescents must struggle. And mental disorders and youth incarceration already share an alarmingly strong link. As James Barrett, a psychologist at the Cambridge Health Alliance and in Harvard Medical School’s Department of Psychiatry, said in an interview with the HPR, a “massive overlap” exists between the two groups. While just 20 percent of all American youth live with one or more mental disorders, that proportion jumps to 70 percent for the juvenile justice population. Read the whole article.
Daily Archives: March 10, 2015
Campaign to Change Direction: Raising Awareness about Mental Health
Today, in support of her Joining Forces initiative, the Michelle Obama spoke at the launch of The Campaign to Change Direction, a nation-wide effort to raise awareness around mental health in America. The campaign is designed to change the story of mental health across the nation by urging all Americans to learn the five signs that someone might be in distress.
“It’s time to tell everyone who’s dealing with a mental health issue that they’re not alone, and that getting support and treatment isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. That’s something that my husband believes strongly as President. Because in this country, when you’re fighting an illness — whether that’s mental or physical — you should be able to get the help you need, end of story.”
From homeless to a home. Read Mark Mack’s story of getting stable housing.
After years of homelessness and stints in jail, he finally has stable housing, which is a key to further success. To learn more about homelessness and mental illness listen to Dr. Robert Okin at the Commonwealth Club.