For someone leaving incarceration, release is not simply the end of time spent in custody. It is the beginning of one of the most vulnerable and complicated transitions they may ever face. In a matter of hours, an individual can go from a highly structured environment to being responsible for securing housing, transportation, medication, treatment, employment, identification, benefits, court compliance, and family responsibilities. Many are expected to manage all of these needs at once, often with limited resources and little room for error.

For Sasha Rodriguez, LPC, CCHP, a career in mental health has always been about helping people navigate difficult circumstances while recognizing the strengths they possess within themselves. Today, as a Mental Health Provider at the Garfield County Jail, Sasha brings that passion to work every day, supporting patients through challenges, promoting recovery, and helping create positive outcomes within the correctional environment.

When most people think about healthcare in jails, they often picture emergency care, chronic disease management, or mental health services. What many don’t realize is that correctional facilities also play a critical role in managing infectious diseases. In fact, for some individuals, incarceration may be the first time they have meaningful access to healthcare in years.

For Sasha Rodriguez, LPC, CCHP, a career in mental health has always been about helping people navigate difficult circumstances while recognizing the strengths they possess within themselves. Today, as a Mental Health Provider at the Garfield County Jail, Sasha brings that passion to work every day, supporting patients through challenges, promoting recovery, and helping create positive outcomes within the correctional environment.

Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to recognize not only the importance of mental and behavioral health care, but also the professionals who dedicate their lives to supporting others through some of life’s most difficult moments. In this article, Dr. Rush and Manuela share their personal journeys into Mental Health and Behavioral Health, the experiences that shaped them, and the perspectives that continue to guide their work today.