By Mary Evans
"The Chaos Upstairs" by Rae Scruggs
A new campaign highlighting women affected by the carceral system and their use of art as a facet of their transition back to society is bringing awareness to the stigmas associated with mental health.
Love Your Neighbor Ohio is an ongoing initiative of Accompanying Returning Citizens with Hope (ARCH) meant to educate the public about the realities of incarceration in Ohio, and in particular the unique challenges women face after being incarcerated.
Accompanying Returning Citizens with Hope is a nonprofit tax-exempt program designed to help meet the needs of individuals who have been incarcerated, also referred to as returning or restored citizens.
Adequate mental health care is extremely difficult for returned citizens and incarcerated individuals to receive. I know first-hand the inequities one faces when trying to seek mental health help.
When you leave prison, you are given only 30 days’ worth of the prescribed medications from the mental health provider. You have to get medical insurance, find a doctor or counselor specializing in mental health, and secure an appointment before the medication runs out.
In the carceral environment, most prisoners have no control over their day-to-day life, no family support, and limited access to address other barriers that could potentially deter them from transitioning back into society.
Five such women — Aimee Wissman, Rae Scruggs, Whitney Johnson, Charlotte McGraw, and Tyra Patterson — all formerly incarcerated or otherwise institutionalized, are taking their traumas and are confronting them through art. They are using their artistic abilities as a coping tool not only to help themselves, but also other individuals struggling with mental health.
"Remastered Chaos" By Whitney Johnson
Artist Charlotte McGraw was placed in an institution at the age of 16 and did not leave until she was 28 years old. She found art in her search to be heard. Eventually, an employee at the institution noticed how amazing Charlotte’s art was. The realization followed that Charlotte did not need to be medicated or even locked up. Her artwork was her way out.
“A system that makes money off of people’s lives is the same system that the US has built its foundation on,” said Aimee Wissman, an artist and co-founder of Returning Artists Guild. “People who go to prison have a lot of real-world problems that could be solved by spending the carceral budget on things like adequate, accessible mental health care, education, and medical care.”
"Heavy is the Head" by Tyra Patterson
You can see the artists' stories, purchase prints, and learn more about the artwork and campaign by visiting loveyourneighborohio.com.
A percentage of project proceeds will be given to the artists for their work. The remainder will be used to support women coming home from incarceration with their housing, transportation, clothing, and food needs.
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Mary Evans is a journalist, radio producer, and social justice activist who uses her platform to provide space for underrepresented communities. A graduated of Antioch College, Mary is an ACLU OH State Action Team Member and a volunteer in the Ohio Prison System.
