Edinburgh Napier University

  Lay summary: It is important that people released from prison get help for mental health and substance use. This will protect their health and help them live life away from crime. People released from prison in Scotland are more likely to die from substance use or suicide than other people. In other countries, people do not get as much help as they should early on, but we do not know if this is happening in Scotland. We will find out five things. First, how many people are affected by poor mental health and substance use, and how this links to deaths. Second, which NHS services people use and how much. Third, if there are differences between groups, such as men and women. Fourth, how Covid-19 has changed things. Finally, we will ask key people, especially people released from prison, what they think should be researched to make getting help easier.