Violent Death and Mental Health: What Does the Research Show?

Happy 4th of July! When every year Americans shoot guns into the air, randomly injuring or killing a few people, to celebrate our independence! Contentious debates rage about the role of mental health and guns in contributing to violent deaths, but we actually do have some research that speaks to these complex issues.

Although mass killings command most of our attention, they represent less than 2% of the murders in America. We lose twice as many each year to suicide than we do to murder. Both suicide and murder, whether perpetrators or victims, are overwhelmingly issues with guys, and with guns.

I'll address some of the recent research that pertains to some popular claims:

People with mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators. (true)

Mental illness has nothing to do with contributing to violent deaths. (false)

Only good people with guns can stop bad people with guns. (false)

Antidepressant use is responsible for the huge increase in US mass killings over the last 30 years. (false)

Regarding ADHD: Having ADHD doubles the likelihood of being a victim of murder or suicide. Taking Ritalin appears to lower both of those risks. Having ADHD is associated with ending up in jail. But the vast majority of people with ADHD are not criminals.

References:

Domestic Mass Shooters: The Association With Unmedicated and Untreated Psychiatric Illness

Europe's mental health crisis in data: Which country uses the most antidepressants?

Psychopathy among condemned capital murderers

Management of ADHD in Prisoners—Evidence Gaps and Reasons for Caution

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Methylphenidate and mortality in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: population-based cohort study