Program Goals:

Mental health is the most crucial service we provide. Our trained counselors are emotionally invested in our clients, so we are positioned to make holistic changes with members in our programs. Our mental health/suicide program will address the behavioral and emotional challenges that formerly incarcerated Black men face while navigating culturally sensitive, trauma-informed spaces. We aim to reduce the impact of trauma, depression, and anxiety associated with incarceration and reintegration. We will teach coping strategies to handle stress, stigma, and life’s challenges post-incarceration. Patients will have an initial interview with licensed mental health professionals.

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INTERVENTION

We will conduct individual and group therapy sessions to address mental health needs.

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We will use a PTSD checklist (PCL) for trauma screening and a Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) for anxiety. We will assess substance use and any co-occurring disorders. We will identify any social determinants of mental health, such as anxiety, depression, and stress.

 

Our therapy will be Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): this will challenge and redirect unhelpful thought patterns. The training sessions will be weekly, one-hour sessions during the first six months, with optional bi-weekly sessions after that. Our group therapy approach will be peer-led and therapist-facilitated group therapy.

We will host trauma recovery group sessions so that our clients can share experiences and work through trauma collectively. Our anger management groups will teach techniques to manage anger and frustration. We will focus on rebuilding relationships and improving communication during the reintegration process. These meetings and groups will be 90-minute sessions held weekly.

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The individual/group sessions will be continuous and ongoing. We know that Mental Health is a central issue with our clients, so our services will be continuous and ongoing.  Therapy sessions will last over six months up to twelve months. ​​

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As part of our intervention strategy, we will incorporate Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and Natural therapy into our services. Animal-assisted intervention improves a patient's social, emotional, or cognitive functioning. Using animals for treatment has shown positive results in many cases, such as post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD), depression, anxiety, dementia, and autism. AAT can also improve many aspects of a patient's life, such as improving their overall mood or reducing feelings of isolation.(Charry-Sanchez et al., 2018).

 

We will also incorporate Nature therapy or Ecotherapy. Nature therapy is a therapeutic practice that involves elements of nature ( walks, exercising, plants, outdoor activities). Once a week, we will venture to a local horse farm, ride and feed horses, and conduct our therapy sessions. We will sit with nature for a week at the farm to connect with the trees, water, and animals. This therapy aims to reduce stress through nature and reconnect with the earth.