The article argues against the scapegoating of individuals with serious mental illness for high-profile acts of violence. It highlights how society tends to portray them as dangerous, despite data showing they are often victims themselves. Politicians exploit this narrative to foster fear and push for restrictive measures, while the real issues behind violence, such as drug misuse and social factors, remain unaddressed. This stigma has harmful effects not just on those with mental illness, but also on their families and society as a whole.
The allure to place blame for all of society's problems of violence on this group of people isn't hard to understand.
It's just not true. The data show that they are more likely to be the victims of violence and be harmed by a firearm.
Scapegoating those with serious mental illness diverts us from real change.
Society, with regularity, paints these individuals as dangerous and unpredictable, using terms flung as insults.
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