Mental health treatment experiences before, during, and after incarceration: Perspectives of formerly incarcerated Black men.

Black men who have been incarcerated experience worse mental health outcomes than Black men without incarceration histories, reflecting both the trauma of incarceration and barriers to adequate care. This study describes the perspectives and experiences of formerly incarcerated Black men (FIBM) with mental health treatment before, during, and after incarceration. Using a qualitative design with semistructured interviews and embedded quantitative surveys, we interviewed 29 FIBM. Quantitative data described the sample and treatment histories, while qualitative data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Most participants (n = 26/29; 89.7%) reported receiving mental health treatment at some point in their lives. Three overarching themes emerged: (1) Treatment timing relative to incarceration: treatment before incarceration often misaligned with needs, treatment during incarceration offered access but was constrained by limited resources, and treatment after incarceration offered greater agency; (2) experiences across treatment modalities: perceptions of individual therapy, group therapy, and medications varied. Positive experiences are linked to supportive clinician or peer relationships and skill building. Negative experiences tied to retraumatization or reluctance toward medication; and (3) treatment shaped by institutional surveillance and punishment: mandated care undermined engagement unless autonomy was maintained, and participants expressed mixed views on how substance use disorder treatment related to their mental health needs. Findings highlight that while it is essential to address the mental health needs of FIBM, treatment varies greatly in quality and impact. Future research should examine treatment types, settings, and trajectories over the life course to inform equitable, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive care for FIBM. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).