Mental Health Behind Bars: California’s Silent Epidemic

In California, 37% of the prison population has serious mental health needs, over 50% of people in county jails face mental illness, and 30% of inmates in L.A. County are on psych meds or housed in mental health units. But these numbers are misleading—because prison punishes vulnerability. In general population, asking for help can make you a target. Most stay silent. Trauma gets buried. Pain goes unseen.

The system only counts what’s reported—not what’s real. We’re not underestimating a problem.

We’re ignoring an epidemic.

And what about the women? Over 70% of incarcerated women report serious trauma, much of it from childhood abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault.

www.frombarstobrilliance.org

Their mental health needs are even higher than men’s, yet often dismissed or punished. They’re not just inmates—they are survivors, mothers, daughters, and healers in hiding.

They deserve care, not cages. It’s time to break the silence. To lead with compassion. To heal what punishment never could.

#FromBarsToBrilliance #MentalHealthAwareness #TraumaToTriumph #ReformNow #HealingJustice #TheHealingCollective