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Abstract

Barriers to mental health treatment are underscored in the justice-involved (JI) population, which faces multiple stigma and greater social and economic disadvantage. Indeed, some have suggested that greater access to community treatment may prevent re-arrest. By analyzing the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the impact of JI status on probability of various barriers to mental health treatment was assessed. Results indicated that justice-involvement, especially in the past year, was related to a higher error rate in perceiving mental health issues. However, JI status was generally related to a lower likelihood of reporting any particular barrier. Recommendations include an emphasis on the system response, including provision of mental health education, legislative reform, and funding community treatment options.

Keywords

mental illness justice-involved treatment access

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Justice-Involvement and Access to Mental Health Care

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