18: Vital Diagnosis

With(in)

Episode 18 of With(in) -- Vital Diagnosis -- dives into the intricacies of recognizing and treating mental health issues inside of prison. Associate Producer Sarah Berry and With(in) Co-Host Denise Presson interview Mental Health Supervisor for Denver Women’s Correctional facility Ms. Abeyta. They discuss the disparity between the percentage of women versus men seeking help, correctional fatigue and the importance of “filling your cup.” William Davenport, incarcerated in Sterling Correctional Facility, speaks with segment host Brett Phillips about growing up experiencing his mother’s mental health issues, and his passion for his role as a Mental Health Peer Assistant, a program created by the Colorado Department of Corrections to provide low-level interventions for incarcerated folks in their time of need. Then, With(in) Music Producer Travis Barnes and Co-Host Denise Presson have a round-table conversation with CDOC staff members; Licensed Professional Councilor Lindsay Wolf and Licensed Social Worker Courtney Sheldon. In it, they disclose the idea that everyone who enters prison, staff or incarcerated, is walking around with trauma, and yet most people don’t even know what trauma actually is. Co-hosts Andrew Draper and Denise Presson explore the thought that the stigma of mental health struggles creates complicated spaces in which we tend to judge rather than to offer care. We love engaging with our listeners! Leave your comments or reviews. Tell us what you think about what you heard. Your opinions are important to us.