08/29/2025
Amhc Statement: Mental Illness, Safety, And Stigma
Mental Health, Safety, and Stigma
Last updated: August 28, 2025
At Access Mental Health Care (AMHC), we share our community’s commitment to safety, dignity, and truth. Decades of research show that most people living with mental illness are not violent. Blaming mental illness for violence distracts from real solutions and increases stigma—making it harder for people to seek help.
Key facts at a glance
Serious mental illness (SMI) accounts for only a small fraction of interpersonal violence in the community (best estimates ≈ 4%). (Swanson et al., Annals of Epidemiology) (Swanson et al., Psychiatric Services “Disrupting the Narrative”)
Any elevated risk is driven largely by co‑occurring substance use, a history of violence, and social stressors—not a diagnosis alone. (Fazel et al., PLOS Medicine 2009) (MacArthur Study overview, UVA School of Law)
People with SMI are far more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators. (Teplin et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry 2005; free full text)
Where mental illness intersects most with fi****ms is su***de, not homicide. (CDC Firearm Fast Facts) (CDC Su***de Data)
Effective treatment and supports reduce risk and help people thrive. (Fazel et al., The Lancet 2014)
Myth vs. Fact
Myth: “Mental illness causes violence.”
Fact: The vast majority of people with mental illness are not violent, and most violence is not caused by mental illness.
Myth: “Being ‘tough’ on mental illness will make us safer.”
Fact: Stigma and fear keep people from care. Access to evidence‑based treatment, housing, substance‑use services, and community supports does make us safer.
Myth: “Mass shootings are mostly a mental health problem.”
Fact: Only a minority of mass shooters have a serious psychiatric illness; focusing solely on “mental illness” misses more salient drivers. (Columbia Mass Murder Database) (Psychological Medicine analysis)
What actually works
Access to timely care. Early intervention, continuous outpatient care, and care coordination reduce distress and crisis episodes.
Substance‑use treatment. Treating alcohol and drug use—when present—meaningfully reduces risk.
Trauma‑informed, recovery‑oriented support. Housing, employment, peer support, and family education improve stability and safety.
Lethal‑means safety for su***de prevention. Safe firearm storage and temporary off‑site storage during periods of risk save lives.
Evidence‑based threat and violence‑prevention programs. Community‑based approaches address risk without scapegoating.
If you need help now
988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. See SAMHSA’s 988 overview. Free, confidential, 24/7.
Washington State resources: See the WA Department of Health – Su***de Prevention hub and WA 988 for state-specific supports.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 and ask for a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officer if available.
How AMHC helps
Comprehensive, stigma‑free care for mood, anxiety, psychotic, and trauma‑related conditions.
Integrated treatment for co‑occurring substance use.
Safety planning & lethal‑means counseling tailored to you and your family.
Family and caregiver education to recognize warning signs and support recovery.
For media & policymakers
We welcome fact‑based conversations about safety and public health. Contact us for interviews, trainings, or data‑informed policy guidance: info@accessmentalhealthcare.com.
References
Swanson JW, et al. Mental illness and reduction of gun violence and su***de: bringing epidemiologic research to policy. Annals of Epidemiology (2015). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1047279714001471
Swanson JW, et al. Mental Illness and Gun Violence: Disrupting the Narrative. Psychiatric Services (2019). https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/pdf/10.1176/appi.ps.201800172
Fazel S, Gulati G, Linsell L, Geddes JR, Grann M. Schizophrenia and Violence: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLOS Medicine (2009). https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1000120
The MacArthur Violence Risk Assessment Study. University of Virginia School of Law overview. https://www.law.virginia.edu/macarthur-violence-risk-assessment-study
Teplin LA, McClelland GM, Abram KM, Weiner DA. Crime Victimization in Adults With Severe Mental Illness. Archives of General Psychiatry (2005). Free full text: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/16061769
Fazel S, Zetterqvist J, Larsson H, et al. Antipsychotics, mood stabilisers, and risk of violent crime. The Lancet (2014). https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2814%2960694-2/fulltext
Columbia Mass Murder Database. New findings from the Columbia Mass Murder Database. (2022). https://www.columbiapsychiatry.org/news/new-findings-columbia-mass-murder-database
Girgis RR, et al. Psychotic symptoms in mass shootings v. mass murders not involving fi****ms: findings from the Columbia Mass Murder Database. Psychological Medicine (2020/2021). https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/abs/psychotic-symptoms-in-mass-shootings-v-mass-murders-not-involving-fi****ms-findings-from-the-columbia-mass-murder-database/50514607ADF1AC2ECEB43369B6153E34
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fast Facts: Firearm Injury and Death. https://www.cdc.gov/firearm-violence/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Su***de Data and Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/su***de/facts/data.html
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline. https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/988
Washington State Department of Health. Su***de Prevention. https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/injury-and-violence-prevention/su***de-prevention
Washington State 988. WA 988 – Su***de & Crisis Lifeline. https://wa988.org/
AMHC is committed to compassionate, evidence‑based care. We stand against stigma and for solutions that keep all members of our community safe.
!Notice: 988’s national LGBTQ+ Youth subnetwork line will be discontinued starting July 17. Everyone who contacts the 988 Lifeline will continue to receive compassion and help from trained crisis counselors.
