Exploring the Complex Relationship Between Gun Violence and Mental Health

Karen Cilli, a fact-checker for Verywell Mind, brings over three decades of experience as a reference librarian and educator to ensure accurate information.

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Essential Insights

• Mass shootings often prompt assumptions about a connection between gun violence and mental health disorders.
• Although mental illness may slightly increase the risk of violent behavior, this risk remains extremely low.
• Associating gun violence predominantly with mental illness can perpetuate stigma, discouraging individuals from seeking necessary support.

In the wake of widely publicized mass shootings, public figures, media outlets, and communities frequently draw connections between gun violence and mental health conditions.

This pattern was evident following recent tragic events, including the Buffalo supermarket shooting and the Robb Elementary School incident in Uvalde, Texas.

Payton S. Gendron, 18, accused in the Buffalo attack, had previously been evaluated for mental health concerns after expressing violent and suicidal thoughts but was released shortly thereafter.

This scenario reignites debates about the role of mental illness in gun violence, often leading to misconceptions and misinformation.

While it might seem straightforward to attribute gun violence to mental health issues, this oversimplification fails to address the root causes and can harm those living with mental illnesses by increasing stigma.

What Do Data Reveal?

According to the Gun Violence Archive, over 200 mass shootings occurred in the U.S. in 2022, with more than 45,000 gun-related deaths in 2020, over half due to suicide.

Research from 2016 indicates that individuals with serious mental illness account for less than 1% of mass shooting homicides and approximately 3% of violent crimes overall.

The majority of people with mental health conditions are not violent. While some studies suggest a slight association between mental illness and violence, most individuals with such conditions do not engage in violent acts.

Mark Vahrmeyer, AdvDipIntPsy MA

Stigma surrounding mental health often leads to shame and reluctance to seek help among those affected.

— Mark Vahrmeyer, AdvDipIntPsy MA

High-profile cases where perpetrators commit suicide after violence, such as Columbine or Virginia Tech, contribute to the misconception that mental illness is a direct cause.

Although many mass shooters do not survive their attacks, this behavior does not necessarily indicate a mental health disorder.

"Mental health stigma has deep historical roots, with individuals once viewed as weak or dangerous," explains Mark Vahrmeyer, UKCP-registered integrative psychologist.

"Despite progress in treatment and awareness, public fear of violence from those with mental illness remains high," Vahrmeyer adds.

Why Are These Connections Made?

Assigning blame to mental illness or other factors like media or music offers a simplistic explanation, providing a sense of control amid complex social issues.

Seeking Clarity After Tragedy

"Humans naturally seek straightforward answers to complex problems. Labeling perpetrators as mentally ill distances us from collective responsibility and reassures us about our society," says Vahrmeyer.

This psychological defense helps maintain personal and societal certainty.

While some mass shootings involve perpetrators with diagnosed mental illnesses, such as Jared Lee Loughner in the 2011 Tucson shooting, this does not establish a definitive causal link.

Persistent Stigma

Focusing on mental health as the cause of gun violence reinforces stigma, deterring people from seeking help and worsening public health.

Conditions like depression and anxiety are gaining acceptance, but disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder still face significant stigma, especially following mass shootings.

"Stigmatization leads to shame and social isolation, making it harder for individuals to access support," notes Vahrmeyer.

He continues, "People with mental illness risk becoming scapegoats, marginalized by media and politics, which harms both individuals and society without effectively addressing gun violence."

Policies targeting mental illness to reduce gun violence may misallocate resources, as firearms pose risks regardless of mental health status. Enhanced education and training on gun safety are crucial.

Additional Considerations

Common traits among mass shooters include social isolation, anger, desire for revenge, and premeditation.

While anger can be a symptom of some mental illnesses, not all shooters have mental health conditions, and mental illness alone rarely explains violent actions.

More than half of gun-related deaths are suicides, which may influence perceptions linking mental illness and gun violence. However, suicide and violence against others are distinct phenomena.

The association between gun violence and mental illness persists partly due to convenient scapegoating and media portrayal.

Ultimately, linking the two can increase fear and hinder those struggling with mental health from seeking help.

What This Means for You

Gun violence is deeply distressing, but it's important to recognize that violence can occur irrespective of mental health. Continued research and support for mental health are essential to address underlying issues.

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Verywell Mind relies on credible, peer-reviewed sources to ensure trustworthy content. Learn more about our editorial standards.

1. Pew Research Center. Data Insights on Gun-Related Deaths in the U.S.

2. Knoll JL, Annas GD. Mass Shootings and Mental Health. In Gold LH, Simon RI, eds. Gun Violence and Mental Illness. American Psychiatric Association;2016:81-104.

3. McGinty EE. Challenging the Narrative Linking Mental Illness and Gun Violence. PS. 2018;69(8):842-843. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201800172

4. Appelbaum PS. Legal Perspectives on Treating Dangerous Defendants. PS. 2012;63(7):630-632. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201200630

5. Swanson JW, McGinty EE, Fazel S, Mays VM. Bridging Epidemiology and Policy to Reduce Gun Violence and Suicide. Ann Epidemiol. 2015;25(5):366-376. doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2014.03.004

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