NaphCare and the NaphCare Charitable Foundation Host Second Annual Mental Health Awareness Patient Art Exhibit

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – For the second consecutive year, leading correctional healthcare company NaphCare, Inc., and the NaphCare Charitable Foundation, Inc. (NCF), are recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month through the “Reframing Mental Health” initiative – a patient-centered art exhibit and advocacy campaign. Reframing Mental Health encourages patients to express their experiences navigating mental illness through art, shedding light on the realities of daily challenges, inner resilience, and the enduring hope for a better future. 

Building upon the success of last year’s program, the NCF provided art supplies to participating NaphCare partner facilities in Forsyth County, N.C.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Mobile County, Ala.; San Diego County, Calif.; and the state of Wyoming. Patients were invited to create original artwork exploring a range of mental health themes, including reducing stigma around seeking mental health treatment, celebrating community diversity, and promoting positivity and inclusivity. Participants used a variety of media, such as graphite pencils, charcoal, watercolors, and oil pastels to powerfully express their own mental health experiences and perspectives.

“Mental health affects us all,” said Amber Simpler, Ph.D., ABPP, Executive Director of Behavioral Health Research at the NCF. “Too often, conversations center around extreme or crisis situations. But the truth is, we all experience emotions like worry, sadness, or fear – it’s part of the human experience. By speaking openly, we can shift the narrative, reduce stigma, and foster a more compassionate and informed understanding of mental health and those who live with mental illness.”

Nearly two in five individuals in correctional facilities – 37% in state and federal prisons and 44% in local jails – experience symptoms of mental illness, twice the rate seen in the general adult population. In response, NaphCare is committed to addressing this mental health crisis through evidence-based programs that promote stabilization and support successful reintegration into the community. Engaging in artistic expression promotes self-exploration, mindfulness, self-reflection, self-regulation, and understanding of others – essential coping skills for patients both in carceral settings and upon community reentry.

New in 2025, NaphCare and NCF will also host an art expression workshop for their staff at NaphCare’s headquarters in Birmingham, Ala. in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month.