The erroneous association between mental illness and violent crime remains a prevalent misconception, and it unfortunately deters approximately 60,000 residents of Wichita, Kansas, from seeking essential mental health care. This unfounded correlation, rooted solely in our minds, fosters a negative stigma that affects us all. But where does this misconception originate?
It is all too common for people to distance themselves from extreme and vocal fringes who resort to violence to convey their messages. To create this divide, labels are assigned to them, separating “them” from “us.” These labels may be political affiliations, racial slurs, or, in some cases, the misguided assumption of an undiagnosed mental illness.
The reality is that individuals living with mental illness are 12 times more likely to be victims of crime than to commit criminal acts themselves. According to the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, only a quarter of active shooter situations involve individuals with a mental illness. Furthermore, a collaborative study by Duke University, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and the University of Oxford revealed that mental illness is a factor in only about 4% of violent crimes, and even less so when considering gun violence.
While mental health issues persist in our society, perpetuating negative and false associations only drives those in need further into the shadows, hindering their ability to seek help. As a community, let us work together to become informed and break down the stigma surrounding mental health.
