San Quentin hosts Mental Wellness Week

San Quentin Rehabilitation Center’s Health Care Administration launched a weeklong celebration in honor of Mental Wellness Week. Beginning Sept. 9, the week marked a significant event for the incarcerated population as well as staff.

The kick-off event began at 8:30 a.m. with a poignant presentation of colors by the San Quentin Honor Guard, setting a respectful tone for the events to follow.

Throughout the week, the institution transformed into a vibrant showcase of creativity and community spirit. Incarcerated individuals displayed personalized art, including pieces dedicated to their favorite NFL teams and iconic celebrities. They also displayed photographs to illustrate life behind bars. Among the highlights were stunning paintings of California’s historical landmarks, such as the Golden Gate Bridge.

Wristbands were distributed to staff and incarcerated residents, symbolizing unity and the shared commitment to mental wellness. One of the standout events was a car show organized by Coach K. Bhatt and Jesse Vasquez.

Car show and music

The show featured impressive vehicles such as a black 1962 Chevy Impala and a classic gray Ford Mustang. There was also a black 2018 Harley Road Glide parked beside a 1991 Harley Classic painted candy red with gold trim.

Formerly incarcerated person Branden Terrell said he was pleased to see the reactions to the first day’s events.

“To see them here today and happy, it’s super inspiring,” he said. “I think it’s awesome. Obviously, I did over a decade here and would have never thought in a million years there would be motorcycles and cars on the yard with a concert. It’s super inspiring knowing how the guys feel. I was in their shoes at one time. To see them here today, happy. I think they have escaped from prison for the day.”

Ricardo Romero said it’s important to talk about mental health.

“Amazing. I remember growing up, mental health was a negative stigma. Today, events like this help promote mental wellness. It’s actually liberating for me because there are some things that I’ve dealt with, and I thought it wasn’t the manly thing to do to talk about my feelings and emotions. Today is giving me the courage to say I have issues,” Romero said. “I’ll tell you something. I learned how to paint in prison over the course of 5 years. I got really good at it, enough to be the teacher’s assistant, and I’m spotting a few flaws.”

The week also featured various presentations aimed at fostering mental health awareness.

Shedding light on mental health

Kevin Berthia, a suicide attempt survivor, spoke about the importance of recognizing one’s struggles and embracing vulnerability. “Real strength is identifying these issues,” he shared, emphasizing the need for open discussions about mental health, especially among men.

Finishing the night with Expressive Arts, residents performed original songs and poetry in Chapel B.

On Sept. 10, the Board of Parole Hearings held a presentation with Executive Officer Jennifer Shaffer and Chief Psychologist Jasmine Tehrani.

They spoke about actively being prepared for parole and the resentencing process. The population inquired about transitional housing and resources within their communities once they are paroled. This interactive session allowed residents to voice concerns and gain valuable insights into the transition back into society.

The Division of Adult Parole Operations offered helpful information about prerelease, reporting instructions, and communicating with parole agents. Questions ranged from requirements for sex offenders to resources available for veterans after release to parole supervision. They were advised to over communicate rather than under communicate and make sure they report on time on the first working day following their release.

9/11 observance

The emotional highlight of the week occurred on Sept. 11, as the institution hosted a tribute to the victims of the 9/11 attacks. Collaborating with the San Quentin Veterans Group, the event honored those lost and raised awareness for National Suicide Prevention Week. Guest speaker Taya Kyle spoke about resilience and hope widow of former Navy Seal Chris Kyle.

Love Does, an organization founded by Bob Goff who facilitates Dream Big workshops, awarded college scholarships to a few students.

God Behind Bars, a Christian ministry organization, saw over 80 incarcerated individuals sign up to be baptized on the lower yard. The group also offered music from Gospel rapper NRG and a Christian singer from Vermont. As one person described it, “the event was epic.”

The celebration continued with musical performances and artistic showcases throughout the week.

Tribute to Johnny Cash

On Sept. 12, Matt Buttler and Danny Wilson paid tribute to Johnny Cash, whose legacy at San Quentin remains influential. Later, comedian Dennis Gaxiola brought laughter to the residents, proving joy can thrive even in challenging environments.

The week concluded with an energetic 5K run on Sept. 13, where residents and staff came together to promote health and well-being. The event fostered camaraderie and served as a reminder of the progress being made in the realm of mental health within the prison system.

The final day also featured a basketball free-throw contest. Officer Willams, a proponent of the California Model, shot the first free-throws while wearing her duty belt. She made nine out of 10 baskets. Sgt. J. Graves also joined in the festivities.

Several groups performed throughout the day, such as the Native Hawaiian Hula Group.

As Mental Wellness Week concluded, participants left with a renewed sense of hope, connection, and understanding. The events highlighted the importance of mental health while also emphasizing the power of community in overcoming challenges to find healing.

Submitted by Lt. G. Berry

Learn more about the California Model on the CDCR website.

Follow CDCR on YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter). Listen to the CDCR Unlocked podcast.