What are the links among trauma, substance use, mental health, and justice involvement for women?

• Most incarcerated women have experienced trauma including interpersonal violence
  • More than half of incarcerated women meet criteria for experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in their lifetime
• About 20% of women in jail have co-occurring serious mental illness (i.e., major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia spectrum disorder) and substance use disorder
  • The women are more likely than other incarcerated women to have been
    • Exposed to violence
    • Exposed to drugs at a younger age
• If you are interested in reading more https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/Publications/WomensPathwaysToJail.pdf

Nowotny KM, Belknap J, Lynch S, DeHart D. (2014). Risk profile and treatment needs of women in jail with co-occurring serious mental illness and substance use disorders. Women Health. 54(8):781-95. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25204664/