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Despite substantially higher rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among male inmates than among men in the general population, there is a dearth of research on PTSD among incarcerated men. The current study addresses traumatic events that precede PTSD and psychiatric disorders that are comorbid with PTSD in an inmate sample. Seeing someone seriously injured or killed, being sexually abused, and being physically assaulted were the three most commonly reported antecedent traumas to PTSD. Lifetime and current rates of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and antisocial personality disorder were elevated among inmates with a diagnosis of PTSD. Two hundred and thirteen inmates participated in the study. Sixty-nine participants (33%) met lifetime DSM-III-R criteria for PTSD, and 45 (21%) met current criteria. The findings are compared with general population samples, and implications of the findings are discussed.

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A limited number of recent empirical studies suggest that inmates suffer from high rates of serious mental illness. Different explanations are offered depending on the type of institution: jail or prison. The literature is based largely on urban samples and does not offer comparisons of rates across types of institution within a single study. The present study examined a random sample of 213 jail and prison inmates in a rural state using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (III-R). Among jail inmates there was little evidence of high rates of serious mental illness, suggesting the criminalization of mental illness may not be as evident in rural settings as urban areas. Among prison inmates, however, high rates of mental disorders were found, supporting previous findings in urban and rural jurisdictions. Implications of the findings are discussed in the context of a consolidated correctional system.

Suicidal behavior and death by suicide are significant and pressing problems in the Bhutanese refugee community. Currently, Bhutanese refugees are dying by suicide at a rate nearly two times that of the general U.S. population. Proper identification of risk factors for suicide saves lives; however, if risk is underestimated due to culturally inflexible risk assessments, preventable deaths may continue to occur. In this review, we examine specific cultural factors related to psychopathology and suicide among Bhutanese refugees. To contextualize the current suicide crisis among Bhutanese refugees, we propose an integration of the interpersonal psychological theory of suicide (Joiner, 2005) and the cultural model of suicide (Chu, Goldblum, Floyd, & Bongar, 2010). We provide recommendations for preventing suicide from a systems framework and discuss practical lessons from a preliminary study designed to test a culturally responsive model of suicide in Bhutanese refugees.

Training clinical psychology graduate students in providing effective psychological services to refugees can be extremely complex. The training approach requires a culturally sensitive framework, potential modification of empirically validated techniques, and flexibility on the part of trainees and supervisors. Connecting Cultures is a program that creates a culturally sensitive context from which trainees can learn to effectively work with refugees within a social justice framework and the ecological model of human development. Connecting Cultures graduate students provide both community-based outreach and direct clinical services to meet the mental health needs of refugees in the Northeast region of the United States. The primary aim of this manuscript is to provide an overview of Connecting Cultures’ training and supervision model, highlight the importance of working with cultural consultants, interpreters, and community elders, and discuss the impact this work has on clinical psychology graduate students. A secondary aim is to describe our method for evidence-based psychological assessment and to present preliminary outcome data from our graduate students. Strengths of the Connecting Cultures program include its clinical and research efforts with refugees from over 20 countries, and its ability to flexibly incorporate alternative therapeutic frameworks such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Finally, the manuscript concludes by providing the implications of our work in attempting to meet the mental health needs of refugees after resettlement.