A Simulation-Based Approach to Understanding Social Determinants of Mental Health and Criminal Legal Involvement.

Social determinants of mental health and criminal legal involvement have substantial overlap and bidirectional influence. However, these elements are not yet fundamental components of mental health practitioner training, and practitioners are prone to stigmatize individuals with criminal legal histories. This case study describes a reentry simulation as a possible practitioner training tool. Participants indicated that the simulation was an effective training experience that increased their understanding of social determinants and empathy for individuals affected by the criminal legal system. Experiential learning activities such as simulations appear to be a promising but underutilized training tool that could be leveraged to promote more equitable mental health services.