Tuesday, August 6, 2019 — The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) joins the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in disputing the link between mental illness and gun violence.
Millions of Americans live peaceful and productive lives while living with mental illness, and studies have shown that mental illness is not a major factor in gun violence.
As stated by the APA: “It is important to note that the overwhelming majority of people with mental illness are not violent … Rhetoric that argues otherwise will further stigmatize and interfere with people accessing needed treatment.” From NAMI: “The truth is that the vast majority of violence is not perpetrated by people with mental illness. Statements to the contrary only serve to perpetuate stigma and distract from the real issues.”
For an additional review of research investigating the connection between gun violence and mental illness, please refer to this article. Go to iocdf.org to learn more about obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Thank you for posting this important information.
Hooray for IOCDF for joining APA and NAMI in making this public statement!
I also thank you for posting this.