Open AccessMental Illness and Violence: Lessons From the Evidence
Author(s) -
Sherry Glied,
Richard G. Frank
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2013.301710
Subject(s) - commit , mental illness , institutionalisation , psychiatry , mental health , suicide prevention , human factors and ergonomics , poison control , injury prevention , medicine , occupational safety and health , psychology , medical emergency , pathology , database , computer science
The debate about addressing mental illness and violence often ignores key facts. Many people experience mental illnesses, so having had a diagnosed illness is not a very specific predictor of violent behavior. This means that many proposed policy approaches, from expanded screening to more institutionalization, are unlikely to be effective. Expanded access to effective treatments, although desirable, will have only modest impacts on violence rates. Most people with mental health problems do not commit violent acts, and most violent acts are not committed by people with diagnosed mental disorders.