South Middlesex Times

Rutgers Health researchers, led by Pamela Valera, have conducted a pilot study to explore the impact of training correctional officers in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for adults. The study, published in Psychological Services, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of MHFA in enhancing mental health support in prison settings.

Valera highlighted the crucial role correctional officers play, stating, "Correctional officers serve as first responders, working around the clock in three shifts. They are often the initial point of contact for individuals experiencing mental health distress, psychosis, and substance abuse within criminal justice settings."

The study revealed a pressing need for mental health training among correctional officers, with Valera citing data from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that indicates over half of incarcerated individuals have a mental health disorder.

Valera emphasized the significance of the study, stating, "This study is the first of its kind to implement Mental Health First Aid in a correctional setting." The research highlighted the potential of MHFA training to equip correctional officers with the skills to identify and respond to mental health challenges among incarcerated individuals effectively.

Reflecting on the impact of MHFA training, one correctional officer shared, "We should be receiving far more mental health training. We truly need it because our current training doesn’t cover this aspect. I believe everyone should have access to this course. It allowed me to become more introspective, identify what I’ve been overlooking, and address it. More guidance on effective communication with incarcerated people would be beneficial."

The study's findings indicated that MHFA training improved participants' ability to recognize manifestations of mental health issues, substance use, and behavioral challenges. Researchers noted a positive shift in correctional officers' attitudes towards referring incarcerated individuals to mental health professionals after the training.

Valera stressed the importance of tailoring MHFA training specifically for correctional professionals to enhance their ability to identify and address mental health challenges in prison settings. Future interventions are expected to expand MHFA training to include various correctional settings beyond maximum security facilities.

The study, which involved collaboration between researchers from Rutgers School of Public Health, the Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, and institutions in Washington, D.C., aims to contribute towards improving mental health support in correctional environments.