Helping a Loved One in Prison Deal with Depression

     If you've got a loved one in prison, then chances are they're suffering from depression. Tonight's entry is meant to provide my readers with ideas of what kinds of things you, the person in the free world, can do to make things easier for your incarcerated loved one.

     First of all, the power of the written word is often underestimated. Letters not only communicate your thoughts and feelings right then and there, it also provides your loved one with moments he can read and reread anytime the mood strikes him. And trust me when I tell you, there's nothing quite like the joy of receiving something in the mail frim somebody you love.

     Being in prison gives you a lot of time to think, and while that might seem like a good idea, it's not. Too much time to think gives us more time to realize just how depressing our lives are, so try to provide us with things to occupy our minds. When you write, include puzzles, riddles, word searched, jokes, anything to occupy our minds, and more importantly, to provide us with an education. If it were me, I'd search the Internet for new case law to send. It accomplishes several things. First, it provides him with a way to stay up to date on what's going on with the law, while at the same time teaching him, both of which not only occupy his mind, but also give him something to engage with others about. If you really want to make a difference, retain a copy of what you send and read it so you can engage in a meaningful communication with him. It really does make a difference.

     Another suggestion is providing him with an education in something he might actually be interested in, and able to use. My personal recommendation would be a paralegal correspondence course, for obvious reasons, but not everybody is cut out for a career in the law, so print out an aptitude test and mail it to him to complete and return. When he does, enter the information online and see what types of courses are recommended.

     Hobbies are important, but many of us can't afford to get started. Find out what opportunities his prison offers (drawing, painting, beading, models, etc.), and what he'd like to try.

     Books and magazines are also popular, but before sending anything, find out your particular facility's rules and regulations. If your loved one suffers from addiction or depression issues, I'd suggest visiting SAMHSA for resources, which are provided, free of charge, when available.

     Beyond that, it's important to make your loved one feel useful, so when you call, when you write, be sure to ask us for advice on your problems. Later, make sure you let us know how things went, and thank us for the advice. As silly as it sounds, it will make us feel as if we've contributed something, and may be the boost we needed.

     Finally, don't be afraid to reach out for help. Form a support group compromised with people who are experiencing the same thing. Chances are they'll have advice you can use, and remember, nothing ventured, nothing gained.