If you're in crisis, help is available now:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 (24/7, free, confidential)
TSG Behavioral Health: (910) 485-3111
The new year brings new possibilities. If you're returning to your community after incarceration, this moment represents more than just a fresh start on the calendar: it's an opportunity to build the life you deserve with the right mental health support behind you.
Reentry comes with unique challenges, and mental health concerns shouldn't be one you face alone. North Carolina has made significant investments in supporting returning citizens, and understanding what's available can make all the difference in your successful transition.
Dr. Kerry L. Shipman, CEO of TSG Behavioral Health & Community Services, has seen firsthand how coordinated mental health care transforms lives. "Returning citizens deserve comprehensive, dignified care that addresses both their immediate needs and long-term wellness goals," says Dr. Shipman. "We're committed to being part of that support system."
Here are ten essential things every North Carolina returning citizen should know about accessing mental health support.
1. Specialized Reentry Mental Health Programs Are Available
North Carolina has developed programs specifically designed for people reentering the community. The FIT (Formerly Incarcerated Transition) Program connects returning citizens with chronic disease, mental illness, or substance use concerns to essential medical services. What makes these programs unique is their use of Community Health Workers who have lived experience with incarceration: people who understand your journey because they've walked it themselves.
These specialized programs recognize that your needs are different from the general population, and they're structured to address the specific barriers you face.
2. Intensive Support Teams Can Provide Comprehensive Care
If you're living with serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or chronic PTSD, you may qualify for intensive support through North Carolina's FACT (Forensic Assertive Community Treatment) teams. The state invested $9.5 million in this pilot program specifically to support returning citizens.
FACT teams don't just handle your mental health: they provide coordinated support including substance use treatment, housing assistance, employment connections, and help with daily living tasks. This whole-person approach means you're not juggling multiple disconnected services.
3. Medicaid Coverage Begins When You're Released
One of the biggest barriers to mental health care has historically been insurance coverage. North Carolina's Reentry 2030 initiative ensures Medicaid coverage activates upon your release from incarceration. This means you can access mental health services, medications, and therapy without the financial burden that previously made treatment impossible for many returning citizens.
Understanding your coverage and how to use it is critical. TSG Behavioral Health accepts Medicaid and can help you navigate the enrollment process if needed.
4. Telehealth Makes Mental Health Care More Accessible
Transportation challenges, work schedules, and other reentry obstacles can make attending in-person appointments difficult. Telehealth services have expanded dramatically, allowing you to connect with mental health professionals from wherever you have internet access.
TSG Behavioral Health offers telehealth options that bring professional counseling, psychiatric care, and therapy directly to you. This flexibility can be game-changing during your transition period when stability is still being established.
5. Peer Support Specialists Understand Your Experience
Peer Support Specialists with personal histories of incarceration are now integrated into North Carolina's reentry support system. These professionals combine their lived experience with formal training to help you develop comprehensive reentry plans and navigate challenges.
There's something powerful about working with someone who's been where you are: they understand the unspoken difficulties, the stigma, and the realistic pathway forward. Peer support isn't just encouragement; it's evidence-based care that improves outcomes.
6. Local Reentry Councils Provide Community-Specific Support
North Carolina has established Local Reentry Councils across the state that connect returning citizens to housing, employment, education, and essential supports. Each council has a coordinator who serves as your point of contact, helping you access resources specific to your community.
The state budget allocated $750,000 in grants supporting these local councils, demonstrating a commitment to making reentry support accessible wherever you're located in North Carolina.
7. Pre-Release Planning Makes Transition Smoother
If possible, coordinate mental health services before your release. Pre-release service coordination and intensive case management between criminal justice, health, and housing programs significantly improve reentry success. Warm handoffs to service providers help maintain continuity of care so you're not starting from scratch the day you're released.
Contact organizations like TSG Behavioral Health in advance if you can: establishing that connection early creates a support system waiting for you rather than one you have to build under pressure.
8. Multiple State Agencies Are Working Together For You
North Carolina's Joint Reentry Council brings representatives from health, housing, workforce, education, and criminal justice agencies together specifically to address returning citizen needs holistically. This coordination means the various systems are talking to each other, reducing the burden on you to navigate disconnected bureaucracies.
The state's $99 million investment in reentry services between 2023-2025 reflects a serious commitment to your successful transition: and much of that funding flows directly to mental health and substance use support.
9. Integrated Care Addresses All Your Health Needs
Mental health doesn't exist in isolation from physical health. Programs like FIT Wellness provide fully integrated health care that addresses medical and behavioral health needs in one coordinated system. This integration matters because mental health conditions often coexist with chronic physical health issues, and treating both together produces better outcomes.
TSG Behavioral Health's model of care emphasizes this integrated approach, ensuring that your depression, anxiety, or PTSD is treated alongside any physical health concerns you're managing.
10. Social Support Networks Are Essential to Recovery
Clinical care is vital, but social support is equally important. Building healthy relationships and community connections significantly impacts mental health outcomes during reentry. Many programs now recognize this and incorporate social support development into treatment plans.
Group therapy, peer support groups, family counseling, and community integration activities all strengthen your support network. TSG Behavioral Health offers both individual and group services that help you develop these crucial connections while working on your mental health.
TSG's Commitment to Returning Citizens
At TSG Behavioral Health & Community Services, we believe every person deserves access to quality mental health care, regardless of their past. Our team provides trauma-informed, culturally responsive care that meets you where you are in your journey.
We offer comprehensive services including individual therapy, psychiatric medication management, substance use treatment, and care coordination: all available through flexible telehealth options as well as in-person visits. Our integrated approach means we're addressing your whole person, not just isolated symptoms.
"This year is about new beginnings for so many people," Dr. Shipman notes. "For returning citizens, that fresh start shouldn't have to happen without proper mental health support. We're here to walk alongside you."
Taking the First Step
Reaching out for mental health support takes courage, especially when you're already managing the complex challenges of reentry. But you don't have to navigate this alone. North Carolina has invested in creating pathways specifically designed to support your success, and organizations like TSG Behavioral Health are committed to being part of your support system.
If you're ready to get started with mental health support, contact TSG Behavioral Health at (910) 485-3111. Our team can help you understand your options, verify your insurance coverage, and schedule your first appointment: whether in-person or via telehealth.
Your past doesn't define your future. With the right mental health support, this new year can truly be the beginning of the life you're working to build.
TSG Behavioral Health & Community Services provides comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment throughout North Carolina. Our coordinated care teams work with justice-involved individuals, families, and communities to deliver whole-person care that supports long-term wellness and successful reintegration.
