Stop Blaming Mental Illness For School Shootings
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Stop Blaming Mental Illness For School Shootings

Mental illness is not an excuse.

168
Stop Blaming Mental Illness For School Shootings
Fox News

It's only two months into the new year. As of now, there have been 18 school shootings in the United States in 2018. Recently, 17 lives were lost at Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

This has not even been our country’s most deadly shooting, and it's certainly not its first.

A common factor that is pronounced at every one of these shootings is the blame on mental illness of the shooter. The story always goes that usually a white male, who has either suffered from either some kind of bullying or mental illness, has been the one committing the crime.

What I want to know is, why are headlines making this be the main priority for all these cases?

Mental illness is something I do indeed think needs to be taken more seriously; don’t get me wrong. I am a huge advocate for mental health, and I treat mental illness as a disease.

However, NOTHING is an excuse for going in and shooting up a school, killing multiple innocent people. These victims are sons and daughters, nieces and nephews, parents, siblings, and friends. They are actual people's lives that are being stolen.

This is a completely avoidable, unnecessary, and tragic crime. Just because someone has mental problems doesn’t give them the right to take away people's lives.

There are so many people suffering from mental illness in the United States alone. There are so many who come from broken homes, who have been bullied, or lived in poverty.

Everyone has hardships. That gives no one the right to take away the lives of others.

Too many news outlets have been focusing on the shooter or focusing on his mental illness and state of mind. Not only does this make people who suffer from mental illness perceived as homicidal maniacs, it takes away from the larger issue of gun control.

There have been reports of shooter Nikolas Cruz as being a “broken person” or “depressed." None of this is relevant. Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in the United States.

It's not an excuse to kill innocent people, and I am tired of hearing that it is.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58422
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
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?

37637
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.

959233
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.

193658
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

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments