It is common for people experiencing incarceration to face mental health challenges. Some may struggle with anxiety, depression, substance use disorders or trauma. Others may live with cooccurring disorders or mental illness that makes it difficult to thrive independently. Many have not had access to regular care or support before they came into custody.
However, the time someone spends in jail or prison can be an opportunity to begin healing. The key question is: How do we help people start that healing while they’re inside — and continue after they’re released?
This is where a digital mental health continuum can make a difference.
What is a digital mental health continuum?
A digital mental health continuum is like a bridge. On one side is the time a person spends in custody. On the other side is their return to the community.
Without support, the bridge can fail. People may leave jail or prison without a plan for treatment or therapy. They may not have housing, work, healthcare or a network of support. It’s easy for them to feel overwhelmed or fall through the cracks.
With a mental health continuum, support starts inside the facility and continues outside in the community. This support can include digital tools, therapy, peer support and connections to care providers.
Staff in jails, prisons and community supervision are often stretched thin. There aren’t always enough counselors, facilitators or case managers. People may be in custody for only a short time — just a few weeks or even days.
This is where digital programming tools like Atlas can help. Atlas gives incarcerated individuals access to risk-need-responsive, tablet-based programming. These digital materials — including Interactive Journals, podcasts and videos — can transition with participants following their release, helping bridge the gap of continued care.
Participants can explore evidence-based topics in Atlas, including:
- Mental health and coping
- Substance use and recovery
- Managing emotions
- Relationships and communication
- Preparing for life after release
Atlas is designed to work both in traditional facilitated settings and as a self-guided process. This means participants don’t have to wait for a class or counselor — they can log in anytime, anywhere.
Benefits for facilities
When facilities invest in tools like Atlas, they don’t have to wait for the “perfect” time or staffing to offer support. Participants can start learning and building new skills right away.
Here’s what that can mean:
- Faster engagement: Participants can start using Atlas right away, avoiding waitlists and offering programming access even during short lengths of stay.
- Positive use of time: All participants, including those in isolation, can access engaging materials for behavior change at any time.
- Less pressure on staff: Atlas provides programming without the need for extra staff.
- Stronger transitions: When organizations on both sides of the continuum use Atlas, participants can keep their momentum with continued programming after reentry.
Care after reentry
Many people released from custody have a hard time finding mental health care, skill-building resources and support in the community. Cost, access, transportation and stigma can all pose a problem when seeking help.
A digital mental health continuum can help solve this need. When a person starts with Atlas in custody, they can continue using it through a community organization after release — on a smartphone, computer or tablet. Having access to their Journals can provide a sense of continued progress, and offer something steady in a time of change. People can keep working on their programs from transitional housing, a reentry center or from their own homes.
Ongoing support with risk-need-responsive programming can help:
- lower the risk of crisis or return to use.
- keep participants motivated to stay on track.
- support officers and case managers in community supervision.
- lower recidivism rates.
Learn more about the science of Interactive Journaling® →
How you can help
If you work in community corrections, reentry services or behavioral health, you have the power to make this kind of support possible. Here are a few ways you can help support a mental health continuum in your organization:
- Start inside: When possible, advocate for digital tools in jails and prisons. Even a short stay can be a chance to spark change, and begin building the bridge of continued care.
- Link the pieces: Connect reentry programs with in-custody programming. Shared platforms help ease the burden on staff and participants.
- Remove barriers: Help people access devices and the internet after release. Consider partnering with libraries, community centers or housing programs.
- Support staff: Give parole and probation officers access to digital tools like Atlas, supporting the work they already do to benefit formerly incarcerated people.
- Listen and improve: Ask people what’s working and what’s not. Keep learning from their experiences to strengthen your programs.
A path to healing and hope
Behavior change and mental health treatment don’t happen overnight. But every step counts. A digital mental health continuum can give people more opportunities to heal, learn and grow — no matter where they are in their journey.
With the right tools in place, we can help people move from custody to community with the tools and skills they need to succeed.
