Mental Illness And Guns
Start writing a post
Community

Mental Illness And Guns

Do you think shootings bring more attention to the treatment needs of the mentally ill or add to the stigma associated with mental illness?

308
Mental Illness And Guns

On February 14th, 2018, President Donald Trump tweeted his response to the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Florida. He stated "so many signs that the Florida shooter was mentally disturbed, even expelled from school for bad and erratic behavior. Neighbors and classmates knew he was a big problem.

Such a statement made by Trump and officials suggests that school shootings are strongly associated to mental health issues--reinforcing the unfair, yet, common stigma that implies all people that are mentally ill are extremely dangerous and violent.

Image result for donald trump tweets about parkland



Are all shooters mentally ill? At first glance, I feel like it's most people natural instinct to associate mental illness with violent crimes. Understandably, this is people's attempt to try to comprehend mass shootings and find something to blame them on. The first thing I asked myself after 20 children were unnecessarily shot dead in Newtown CT was "who would do such a crazy thing!? Such a massacre could not be committed by a sane person, right?" Therefore, I believe it makes the most logical sense for people to conclude that a person who behaves this way is abnormal. On the other hand, the media's coverage of high profile cases of mass shootings constantly assume the perpetrator is a "mad men" or "bad" since this simplistic explanation is easier to report and to accept. In fact, these incorrect associations have become so ingrained into minds of the general public. In other words, whenever the media mentions a shooter to have a mental disorder, it's more likely a person will negatively perceive those with a disorder. However, the assumption that those with a mental disorder are violent is extremely inaccurate. And like Trump's tweet, influences from the news can potentially establish a deeper barrier for access and treatment of mental illness.

They're three common misperceptions about mass shootings relationship to mental illness: 1) mass shootings by people with serious mental illness represent the most significant relationship between gun violence and mental illness, 2) people with serious mental illness should be considered dangerous, 3) gun laws focusing on people with mental illness or with a psychiatric diagnosis can effectively prevent mass shootings even if they add to the stigma already associated with mental illness. In contrast, factual evidence shows that mass shootings by people with serious mental illness actually represent less than 1% of all yearly gun-related homicides.

So, it turns out that little population-level confirmation to support the notion that individuals diagnosed with mental illness are more likely than anyone else to commit gun crimes. Also, it was revealed by the Psycho-Legal Studies Program at Northwestern University that "subgroups of persons with severe or untreated mental illness might be at increased risk for violence in periods surrounding psychotic episodes" (Choe, Teplin, Abram 153). This information explains why "60% of perpetrators of mass shootings in the United States since 1970 displayed symptoms including acute paranoia, delusions, and depression before committing their crimes"--strongly similar to symptoms that fall under schizophrenia and PTSD. For instance, shooter Adam Lanza was diagnosed with schizophrenia days following the tragedy that occurred at Sandy Hook elementary.

Image result for misconception gun violence mental illness graph

Asking questions, reviewing one's history, and observing someone's behaviors and reactions, can all help formulate a psychodiagnosis, or an attempt to describe, asses and understand someone's particular situations and that possibility that they might be experiencing a mental disorder. Due to the fact most shooters have untreated symptoms and do not seek needed psychiatric help makes it harder to prevent more violent acts from occurring. Moreover, we also need laws that focus on those individuals whose behaviors identify them as having increased risk for committing gun violence, rather than on broad categories such as mental illness or psychiatric diagnoses. This will help reduce negative stereotypes and social stigmas when it comes to mental illness. Individuals with mental illness often have to cope with public stigma expressed through prejudice (belief in negative stereotypes) and discriminatory (actions based on prejudice) which can be more devastating than the illness itself.

(Joaquin shown on the left)

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

15769
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

945378
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

122301
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments