Mental health and self-harm/suicide risk screening at prison entry over 12 months in a total population sample in New South Wales, Australia

These results establish the scale of mental health need and self-harm/suicide risk among people entering prison, particularly among women and First Nations people. There is a clear need for investment to adequately resource prison-based mental health services to meet the needs of prison entrants, but also in interventions to prevent those with significant mental health needs from entering prison in the first place. These strategies may include targeted and preventive approaches via mental health diversion and community-based mental health services.