Violence and Mental Health Disorders

Violence and Mental Health Disorders



 

 

 

 

Since beginning to do research on the topic of violence involved with persons who have a form of mental health disorder, research has shown that the claimed violence from persons with a disorder is in fact a majority of the time a stigmatization. In fact it has been said several times throughout research that this population is generally more vulnerable than violent. The media however does an incredible job of stigmatizing the population by using 1 or 2 stories that involve a person who has a form of mental health disorder and blowing it up into headline stories. Of course there are some cases where those with mental health disorders are violent, however one must look at why they were violent, what contributed to the violence, and how the situation came about before putting a label on a whole population.

            Those who suffer from mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, major depression, bi-polar, etc. at times can show higher levels of violence than people normally would. However this can be caused by the violent individual suffering from symptoms of the disorder itself. Symptoms can include feeling as though they are being threatened, or manipulated by outside forces which can cause them to “lash out”. However as long as proper treatment is sought out and received, and an individual who is suffering takes their prescribed medication regularly, the use of violent behavior is reduced and is rare. Several Studies have shown that mental illness alone does not incline a person to violence, but instead it is the influence of “co-variants” (Canadian Mental Health Association). Two examples of a co-variant would be the persons environment whether it be throughout childhood, adolescents, school, as an adult it can have an effect on the persons disorders, and in turn behavior. A second example of a co-variant would be a person who has a mental health disorder, but also has a form of substance abuse issue. Finally for those who do exhibit violence that results in legal action being taken, this can cause further violence. Further violence can be cause due to the fact that most criminal justice agencies are poorly equipped to address the psychological needs of victims (Parsons & Bergin 2010).

            As a group, people with mental health issues are not more violent than any other group in our society. The majority of crimes are not committed by people with psychiatric illness, and multiple studies have proven that there is very little relationship between most of these diseases and violence (Canadian Mental Health Association). The media however does an excellent job at making it appear that a majority of criminals must have a mental health disorder. The media takes the small amount of violence that is committed by those who suffer from a mental health disorder and “blow it up”. As soon as crime is committed anywhere it is immediately on the new or in newspapers. However since being in this blogging group I have noticed that when a mental health disorder is also involved it is suddenly everywhere. Now the story is not only on the new or in the newspaper, it is in famous magazines, talked about across the internet, special crime shows are put on to discuss it. However what most people do not realize is that by doing these things we are actually in turn being violent towards that individual, and the mental health population emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. Most are quick to forget that violence doesn’t end at the word physical. Suddenly a whole population is stereotyped as violent or dangerous because of the act of a few people who in the end most likely did not receive the help they needed in time.

 

Erica



Referances:

Picture: http://www-faculty.edfac.usyd.edu.au/projects/towards_better_practice/uploads/images/hands%20reaching.jpg

http://www.cmha.ca/mental_health/violence-and-mental-illness/

Parson,J. Bergin,T. (2010). The Impact of Criminal Justice Involvement on Victim's Mental Health. Vera Institute of Justice, New York. Vol.23.2.182-188

Davis,K. Fallon,J. Vogel,S. Teachout,A. (2008) Integrating into the Mental Health System from the Criminal Justice System. The Hawthorne Press. 217-231