NaphCare and NaphCare Charitable Foundation Launch Third Annual "Reframing Mental Health" Art Initiative

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, NaphCare, a leading correctional healthcare company, and the NaphCare Charitable Foundation (NCF) highlight the third year of their annual art initiative and advocacy campaign, “Reframing Mental Health.” Original artwork created by patients at 12 NaphCare partner facilities across eight states will be exhibited in May to mark Mental Health Awareness Month.

Nearly two in five people in correctional facilities experience symptoms of mental illness, roughly twice the rate of the general adult population. “Reframing Mental Health” directly addresses this reality by inviting patients to explore mental health themes through structured creative expression, using art as a tool for self-reflection, stigma reduction, and emotional well-being.

The 2025–2026 program provided patients with mindfulness coloring pages, a six-unit Self-Care Workbook, and freestyle art materials. At select facilities, patients collaborated on large-scale community murals and banners. Participating facilities spanned Benton County, WA; Forsyth County, NC; Fulton County, GA; Gwinnett County Correctional Complex, GA; Hillsborough County, FL; Jacksonville, FL; Manatee County, FL; Newton County, GA; San Diego County, CA; Washoe County, NV; Wayne County, MI; and the Wyoming Department of Corrections.

“The program encouraged patients to lean in with creativity and curiosity without any judgment,” said Joshua Bowen, a NaphCare mental health professional at Forsyth County Detention Center. “It offered a chance for them to express themselves, which turned into art and a moment of freedom.”

“Reframing Mental Health” reflects NaphCare’s mission to improve and save lives and its commitment to care that addresses the full spectrum of patient well-being through clinical interventions and programs that restore dignity, build coping skills, and support successful reentry into the community.

“Mental health treatment in correctional settings carries unique challenges, including stigma around seeking care,” said Amber Simpler, Ph.D., ABPP, Executive Director of Behavioral Health Research at the NCF. “Programs like ‘Reframing Mental Health’ demonstrate that meaningful support looks different for every patient — and that art can be as powerful a clinical tool as any other.”

About NaphCare

NaphCare partners with local, state, and federal government agencies nationwide to provide innovative healthcare, technology, and administrative solutions for the correctional system. The company’s industry-leading approach to correctional healthcare includes designing and implementing evidence-based clinical programs to address the specific challenges of the corrections environment. Above all, NaphCare aims to make a positive impact in the communities they serve. NaphCare is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Additional information can be found on the company’s website: www.naphcare.com or www.techcareehr.com.

About the NaphCare Charitable Foundation

The NaphCare Charitable Foundation was established in 2011 for charitable, benevolent, educational and philanthropic purposes. The Foundation’s mission is to advance the safety and wellbeing of communities through research, educational programs, and scholarship opportunities. Additional information can be found on the organization’s website: www.naphcarecharitablefoundation.org.