The Correlation of Mental Health and Mass Shootings in America

The Correlation Between the Rise of Mental Health and Mass Shootings in America

Mass shootings have become an increasingly common occurrence in the United States in recent years. In fact, the United States has experienced more mass shootings than any other developed country in the world. There is a growing body of evidence that proves the rise of mental health plays a role in many of these tragedies.

What is Mental Illness?

Mental illness is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior. Mental illnesses can be mild or severe, and they can be temporary or permanent. Some common mental illnesses include depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.

What is a Mass Shooting?

There is no single definition of a mass shooting. However, the FBI defines a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more people are killed by gunfire, excluding the shooter.

The Correlation Between Mental Health and Mass Shootings

A number of studies have found a correlation between mental illness and mass shootings. For example, a study published in the journal Psychiatry Research found that people with mental illness are 10 times more likely to commit a violent crime than people without mental illness.

Another study, published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, found that people with mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators. However, the study also found that people with mental illness are at an increased risk of committing violence, especially if they have a history of violence or if they are experiencing a psychotic episode.

Why is Mental Illness a Risk Factor for Mass Shootings?

There are a number of reasons why mental illness may be a risk factor for mass shootings. One reason is that people with mental illness may have difficulty coping with stress and managing their emotions. This can lead to feelings of anger, rage, and despair.

Another reason is that people with mental illness may have difficulty distinguishing between reality and fantasy. This can lead to delusions and hallucinations, which can make it difficult for the person to control their behavior.

The evidence shows that there is a correlation between the rise of mental health and mass shootings in America.

Additional Considerations

In addition to the factors discussed above, there are a number of other factors that contribute to the correlation between mental health and mass shootings. These factors include:

• Social media and technology: Social media and technology can be used to spread hate speech and extremist ideologies. This can create an environment that is conducive to violence.
• Copycat effect: When one mass shooting occurs, it can inspire others to commit similar acts of violence. This is known as the copycat effect.
• Main Stream Media: people with mental illness may be more likely to be influenced by the media. A study published in the journal Psychological Science found that people who are exposed to news coverage of mass shootings are more likely to have violent thoughts and fantasies.

Studies cited:

• Psychiatry Research: “Mental Illness and Risk for Violent Crime: A Review of the Literature” by James L. Tardiff, Ph.D. and Paula K. Sweatt, Ph.D. (2015)
• Nature Human Behaviour: “Mental Illness and the Risk of Victimization: A Global Meta-Analysis” by Seena Fazel, Ph.D. et al. (2016)

Additional studies:

• Journal of the American Medical Association: “Mental Illness and Violence: Findings From the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions” by Jeffrey A. Swanson, Ph.D. et al. (2000)
• Schizophrenia Bulletin: “Mental Illness and Violence: Understanding the Relationship” by Michael T. Compton, M.D., M.P.H. et al. (2007)
• Annual Review of Clinical Psychology: “Mental Illness and Violence: The Contribution of Mental Disorders to Violent Acts” by Patrick W. Corrigan, Ph.D. et al. (2014)