Social Networks of People in Contact With the Criminal Justice System in the Community, and Their Influence on Help-Seeking for Mental Health and Substance Use Problems, 2023-2025

Background: Mental health and substance use problems are prevalent among people in contact with the criminal justice system. This population are more likely to die by suicide or from substance use related causes than the general population. Accessing support to reduce these serious adverse outcomes is vital, which requires people to seek help. Help-seeking is influenced by individual, contextual and relational factors, the latter operating within and across social networks but poorly understood in this population.

Aim: To understand the influences on mental health and substance use-related help-seeking among people in contact with the criminal justice system in the community

Study design: Mixed methods social network analysis

Data collected: The study included 50 participants in contact with the criminal justice system in the community in two local authority areas, and 460 social network members.

Quantitative and qualitative data were collected at interview facilitated by Network Canvas software (intuitive and engaging computer mediated data collection software with touchscreen capability). Full interview protocol is available.

Participant data includes: demographic, health and criminal justice-related variables; Likert ratings of perceived usefulness of different sources of support; Likert ratings of perceived societal stigma; members of their social network (below); qualitative accounts of help-seeking collected throughout the interview

Social network member data includes: demographic, health and criminal justice-related variables; relationship to participant; participants perceptions of their attitudes towards help-seeking; closeness, respect.

Key findings: It is feasible to use mixed-methods social network analysis, with data collection facilitated by computer software, with people in contact with the criminal justice system in the community to explore highly stigmatised conditions. Manuscripts reporting the findings are under peer review (Dec 25).