Mental Health And Gun Violence: What You Need To Know
The subject of mental health and gun violence is often multifaceted, encompassing not only the effects of gun violence on mental health—both for survivors and for communities at large—but also the stigmas and misconceptions existing regarding individuals with mental illness.
To thoroughly explore this topic, it may be beneficial to further explore each aspect in more detail. It may be helpful to have an overview of the relationship between mental health and gun violence on both a broad and individual level, as well as insight into where you may seek support with this topic.
Understanding mental health and gun violence
Gun violence, also known as gun-related violence, is violence committed using a firearm. Gun violence may be considered intentional, in which a firearm is used to inflict harm, or accidental, in which a firearm unintentionally causes injury or death.
Gun violence can take several forms, including but not limited to:
- Homicide, in which one individual kills another using a gun
- Domestic violence, in which a gun is used to cause injury or death in a domestic setting
- Accidental violence, in which a gun causes injury or death without the intent of the user
- Assault or injury, in which a gun is used to cause bodily harm
- Theft, in which one individual uses a gun to rob another
- Mass shootings, in which an individual kills or injures multiple people at the same time using a firearm.
Rates of gun violence vary based on location. In the United States, more than 48,000 people died from gun-related injuries in 2021 alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
How gun violence can affect mental health
Gun violence can have far-reaching effects on mental health, both on an individual and community level. Below are further insights in this area.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
As a disorder that can develop in some people after a traumatic experience, PTSD can involve symptoms like agitation, nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance, loneliness, and difficulty sleeping. For those exposed to violence, other mental health conditions may also emerge, such as anxiety, depression, or phobias.
Childhood mental health
Gun violence can also have devastating, long-lasting effects on children. As the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) reports, in 2020, firearm-related injuries became the leading cause of death among people aged one to 19 years in the US, surpassing motor vehicle crashes. Research suggests that K-12 students who had been exposed to a shooting at school were less likely to graduate high school and less likely to attend or graduate college.
Stress and mental illness
Even for those who do not experience them directly, firearm deaths and other incidents of gun violence can have negative mental health impacts. The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that, in 2019, 71% of adults in the United States cited mass shootings as a significant source of stress. Stress, particularly chronic or ongoing stress, has been associated with an increased risk of a range of physical and mental health problems, such as memory impairment, high blood pressure, heart attack, depression, and anxiety.
Misconceptions around mental illness and gun violence
When discussing mental health and gun violence, it can also be crucial to address the frequent scapegoating of individuals with mental illness. In conversations on gun violence, harmful stigmas about individuals with severe mental illness as being “violent” and “dangerous” may be spread. However, research has found that the vast majority of people with a serious mental illness are never violent, and only about 4% of violence in the US is attributable to mental illness alone. Other research has shown that adults with mental illness are “more likely to be survivors than perpetrators of community violence.”
The impact of gun violence
Despite these studies, gun violence may increase the risk of stigma against those with mental illnesses. This stigma may lead to other mental health consequences, which, according to the American Psychiatric Association, may include reduced self-esteem, challenges with work and relationships, increased psychiatric symptoms, or a reduced likelihood of continuing to pursue treatment. This research illustrates the role that stigma resulting from gun violence may play in affecting mental health, even beyond those who are directly impacted.
Getting support: Mental health resources for gun violence
The effects of gun violence may impact individuals and groups in various ways. However, a range of resources exist that may be helpful for those experiencing mental health challenges related to gun violence, including but not limited to the following:
- Support groups, where you can connect with others with similar experiences.
- Community mental health programs, which can provide local resources.
- Hotlines, such as the Crisis Text Line, Veterans Crisis Line, and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which can be helpful for those in need of immediate support.
- Self-care practices, such as exercise, quality sleep, mindfulness, and eating a healthy diet, which may help to reduce stress and support overall well-being.
Support options for mental illness related to gun violence and gun safety
For those experiencing gun violence-related mental health effects, therapy can also be a helpful resource. A licensed therapist can offer a safe space to discuss emotions around gun violence, possible strategies for managing symptoms, or advice for navigating related challenges.
However, those experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, or PTSD may find it challenging to leave the house and commute to a therapist’s office in person. In these cases, online therapy through platforms like BetterHelp may offer a useful alternative, offering the option to attend therapy from wherever is most convenient, including the comfort of your home.
Effective online therapy for mental health issues related to gun violence
Online therapy has been found to be an effective form of treatment for a variety of mental health concerns, including PTSD. One such study published in 2022 found that guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy with a trauma focus (CBT-TF) for mild to moderate PTSD to one traumatic event was as effective as individual face-to-face CBT-TF.
Takeaway
For those experiencing mental health challenges related to gun violence, resources such as hotlines, support groups, self-care strategies, and community programs may all be helpful. Therapy—either in-person or online—may also be a valuable source of support in managing the effects of gun violence on mental health.
What are the best practices for gun safety?
Firearm safety is a vital part of injury prevention and violence prevention. According to the California Department of Justice, there are six basics for gun safety:
Assume that all guns are loaded
Keep the gun pointed in a safe direction (where an accidental discharge will not cause injury)
Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
Be aware of your surroundings and where bullets might go if they miss the target
Know the mechanics, how to clear malfunctions, and how to safely load and unload the firearm
Store guns and ammunition in separate, secure locations with safety locks
Practicing these basics can reduce gun deaths and promote responsible gun ownership.
What is defined as a violent crime?
The Federal Bureau of Investigation defines violent crime as a crime that involves force or the threat of force. Types of violent crimes include murder, firearm violence, aggravated assault, rape, and extortion.
How does gun violence in the US compare to other countries?
Globally, the United States ranks in the 93rd percentile for gun deaths, with the highest firearm mortality rate of any high-income country. In the U.S. eight times more people die from firearm violence than the second high-income country.
The rate of death from firearm related violence is closer to that of countries experiencing active conflict than to other high-income countries. According to the National Research Council, the gun violence epidemic is considered a public health threat, surpassing motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of death for children and adolescents.
The prevention of future violence involving firearms requires gun violence prevention strategies, which may include increased gun safety education, extreme risk protection orders, addressing risk factors for violent behavior proactively, and background checks that reduce the likelihood that someone with a high chance of violent behavior has access to firearms. There are many measures on the individual, community, and governmental level that can promote public safety and reduce gun violence.
What are the effects of gun violence on mental health in society?
Some of the mental health effects on survivors of gun violence include chronic stress, feeling “on edge” in public spaces, depression, anxiety, substance use, post-traumatic stress, intrusive thinking, social isolation, and sleep disruption. For people with a known mental health condition before experiencing gun violence, symptoms of conditions often become more severe.
The mental health effects often extend beyond survivors, according to The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence. For example, family members, communities, and the broader society often experience significant mental health effects.
Health care providers suggest that mental health services, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and psychiatric services, including pharmacotherapy, can help people affected by gun violence recover.
How does gun violence violate human rights?
Gun violence is a public safety risk that threatens the human rights of life, health, security, and basic access to services. The gun violence risk often disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, making it a significant threat to equality and freedom from discrimination.
Is gun violence linked to mental health?
In discussions of mass shooters, many focus on a diagnosed mental illness as the cause. The belief that most gun violence is perpetrated by people who are mentally ill perpetuates the misconception that people with mental disorders pose a high risk to others. However, research demonstrates that there is not a causal link between mental illness and violence (both lethal and near-lethal).
The type of gun deaths most strongly correlated with mental disorders is actually suicide, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Among young adults aged 25-34, suicide is the second leading cause of death. In total, suicide makes up more than half of all gun deaths in the United States.
Interpersonal violence, including gun homicide, can contribute to mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or PTSD.
How does mental health affect violence?
Dr. Eric Elbogen is a psychologist and professor of psychiatry at Duke University School of Medicine who studies violence and mental illness. According to recent research, people with serious mental disorders, such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia, are slightly more likely to engage in threatening behavior or commit violent acts than the general population. This risk increases in people with co-occurring substance use or those who are in psychiatric hospitalization or under arrest.
However, Dr. Elbogen says, “If a person has a severe mental illness, [they] may have other risk factors for violent behavior—[like] having been abused as a child, being unemployed, or living in a high-crime neighborhood.”
Is there a link between mental health and violent crime?
Media often portrays mass shooters as suffering from extreme life circumstances and mental illnesses that cause violent behavior. However, most people with psychiatric disorders do not commit violent acts. The population-attributable risk of violence associated with mental illness is about 4%, meaning if mental disorders were eliminated, 96% of violence would still occur.
What is the number one cause of death in mental illness?
Eating disorders have the highest risk of death of all mental disorders. This mental health diagnosis may lead to suicidal thoughts or a suicide attempt, or related conditions, such as heart disease, infections, or severe malnutrition.
Where does most gun violence occur?
The United States has the 28th-highest rate of deaths from gun violence (gun homicides) in the world, with 4.31 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021. Of all states, the District of Columbia has the highest rate of deaths from gun violence (13.92 per 100,000 people).
Some factors that put people at an elevated risk of experiencing gun-related violent acts include a history of violent incidents, trauma (such as sexual abuse or domestic violence incidents), being diagnosed with untreated serious mental illnesses, substance abuse, family characteristics (like neglect or violence), growing up in a violent neighborhood, access to firearms, or exposure to violent media, which is correlated with a higher risk of mass shooting.
- Previous Article
- Next Article