The Many Lives of Mama Love and Mental Health

• In Event: Roundtable: A Book Club Discussion on The Many Lives of Mama Love and the CJ System

Abstract

Throughout her journey, Lara Love Hardin (aka Mama Love) grapples with the psychological toll of addiction, the trauma of incarceration, and the emotional struggles of rebuilding her life after release. Inside prison, she faces the harsh realities of mental health neglect within the justice system, witnessing firsthand the challenges of untreated conditions among inmates. Upon reentry, she confronts societal stigma, shame, and the long road to healing. Through raw honesty and introspection, Hardin’s story highlights the importance of mental health and social support, both within and beyond the prison system. Her memoir serves as a powerful testament to resilience, self-forgiveness, and the need for compassionate approaches to addiction recovery and criminal justice reform.

Authors

• Chantal Fahmy, The University of Texas at San Antonio

• Jessica Huff, University of Cincinnati