Violence and the Mentally Ill

Much of the discrimination and stigma associated with the mentally ill is because of the myth that the mentally ill are violent in the minds of the general public. The belief that persons with mental illness are dangerous has developed into a stigma and the result is discrimination. The effects of stigma and discrimination are profound. Stigma leads others to avoid living; socializing; and working with; renting to; and hiring people with mental disorders especially those with severe disorders. It leads to low self-esteem, isolation, and hopelessness. It prevents the public from seeking and wanting to pay for the necessary care. People with mental illnesses become so embarrassed and ashamed that they often try to conceal symptoms and refuse to seek treatment.

This stigma is reinforced by the entertainment and news media. For example, actors and actresses in prime time television; persons with a mental illness are portrayed as the dangerous and involved in crime or violence. Most news accounts describe people with mental illness as dangerous.   The majority of news stories on mental illness focus on negative characteristics related to people with a disorder or receive mental health treatments. The positive stories that illustrate the recovery of many persons with even the most serious of mental illnesses are often not revealed. Inaccurate and stereotypes of the mental ill still exists in other mass media; films; music; and novels.

Most citizens believe persons with mental illnesses are violent. The majority of Americans believe that persons with mental illnesses are a threat for violence to others and themselves.

 Americans are cautious when interacting with people who have mental illnesses. Often they are unwilling to be friends with someone having mental health difficulties.

People have little reason for these fears.  There may be a link between mental illnesses and violence,  but the percentage of the violence committed is small, People with mental illnesses with violent behavior is  more common when there is the presence of other factors substance abuse or dependence; a history of violence ; physical abuse; and recent stressors.

The risk of violence among the mentally ill as is still very small; only a small percentage of the violence in our society are committed by persons who are mentally ill.

People with psychiatric disabilities are more often victims rather than the person who commit the acts of violence

People with mental illnesses can and do recover. People with mental illnesses can recover or manage their conditions and go on to lead happy, healthy, productive lives. They can contribute to society. People can often benefit from medication, rehabilitation, therapy, or a combination of treatment.

Most people who suffer from a mental disorder are not violent there is no need to fear them. They are normal human beings with difficulties, they need be treated with an open mind, caring, and helpful support. The discrimination is just a unfair as avoiding a person with a medical disorder, like cancer, because you  fear catching the disease. People with a mental illness are a part of our society and are entitled to their basic human rights as are all of us citizens.