Mental health myths: violence

When it comes to mental illness, most people are not as well-informed as we'd like to think they are. This is true of both those who have and have not struggled with it. What is thought of as matter-of-fact might not actually be supported by research and common sense doesn't always apply. This is why it's important to reconsider our assumptions.

From time to time, I'll cover different mental health myths and show the facts behind the truth. Today's topic is violence.

Myth: Mentally ill individuals are violent.

Fact: The mentally ill are generally no more violent than anyone else.

  

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Despite what Hollywood movies and the news would have you believe, mental illness does not account for a much violence at all. Only 3-5% of all violent acts are caused by individuals with serious mental illnesses. This isn't much, especially since 6% of the population qualifies as seriously mentally ill. This means that they are actually doing less than their expected share of violent acts.

In addition, mentally ill individuals are at a higher risk for being on the receiving end of violence. This same group of seriously mentally ill individuals are ten times as likely to be the victim of a violent crime than the general population. That is a very significant increase.

When mentally ill individuals do become violent, it is most likely towards themselves. Over 90% of those who lose their lives to suicide can be diagnosed with a mental illness. It's hard to find exact numbers, but it is generally accepted that suicide is far more common than homicide. Self-injury is also a serious mental health concern and another way that the mentally ill turn on themselves.

While the messages we get from the media suggest mental illness as a predecessor to violence, the concern should be more along the lines of protecting the mentally ill from the violence of others. If you are experiencing violence in your interpersonal life – whether related to mental illness or not – visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline at www.thehotline.org or call 1-800-799-7233.


Sources:
http://www.mentalhealth.gov/
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
http://www.nami.org/