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Mental Health and Violence

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Are people with mental health problems at increased risk of committing violence? Discuss

What Is The Link Between Mental Health And Violence?

The link between mental health problems and violence is complex. The link between the two needs to assess the circumstances and other influential reasons when deciding whether people with mental health problems are at increased risk of committing violence. This essay will argue that people with mental health problems are modestly at an increased risk of violence but when influenced by substance abuse the risk of committing violence is at a greater risk. The scope of the essay will consider works from academic journals and empirical evidence on mental health and violence, which has influenced the debate of this essay.

First, we need to consider that increased risk of violence is modestly greater than someone without mental health problems. According to The Lancet (1997), John Monahan and Colleagues from the MacCarther Foundation Research Network on Mental Health and the Law found the relationship of mental health to be modest contrary to societal belief. They did research with patients in hospital and those released had periodic visits within that year. To compare varying violence they surveyed a random selection of people in the general population. The researchers only found the findings to be modestly greater. They conducted a second survey showing that people with mental health were no more violent than the general population, except for those with mental health problems who had substance abuse problems.

Looking at violence and mental health it is important to also look at other influential factors such as substance abuse. As mentioned by Howitt (2011) when people with mental health problems are taking prescription medication it can lead to side effects such as aggression which leads to violent

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