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Articles - Violence
OAK LEAVES FAMILY SERVICE
COLUMN - OCTOBER, 1998
The shooting at the Capitol Building last summer
got me wondering about what we’re doing as a society to help prevent future
such tragedies. Just how common is such violent acts by the mentally ill?
The Capitol Building shooting that resulted in the death of two officers
has directed new attention to the issues of the mentally ill. The individual
responsible for the shooting was a person diagnosed with a serious and persistent
mental illness -- schizophrenia. He had skipped his medication and had been
without treatment for some time. Schizophrenia is a chronic and disabling
brain disorder that can cause delusions and hallucinations and keeps individuals
from thinking clearly and managing their emotions and behavior. When properly
treated with medication, psychotherapy and case management, up to 90 percent
of individuals with schizophrenia improve. Tragically, in the case last
summer, a lack of ongoing treatment resulted in an individual committing
a terrible offense which resulted in a senseless loss of life.
October is Mental Health Awareness Month.
For more information on the realities of mental illness check out
these resources:
- National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Metro Suburban Chapter
(708) 524-2582
- Mental Health Association of Illinois (312) 368-9070
- Torrey, M.D. and Fuller (1988). Surviving Schizophrenia: A Family
Manual. New York: Harper & Row
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In reality, people suffering from mental illness, including schizophrenia,
are no more violent than some one suffering from cancer, diabetes, heart
disease or any other serious disease. In fact, many psychiatric patients
are so terrified of the world that they withdraw completely, preferring
isolation rather than any level of interaction -- violent or other -- with
their fellow human beings.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, no one can predict when
a person may become violent because everyone has a stress threshold that
is unique. Where one may react in violent anger under stress, others continue
unfazed. In short, a person=s personality, not mental or physical health,
has more influence on their potential for violence.
Research supports this fact. People suffering from mental illness are no
more likely to be arrested because of crimes than the general population.
According to studies at Northwestern University Medical School, fewer than
one out of 20 police contacts with citizens were with victims of mental
illness. Of those contacts who were found to be mentally ill, half of them
were simply approached because the police assumed they required assistance,
not because they were suspected of any crime or wrongdoing.
“Most people with mental illness are not violent, and, in fact, are frequently
the victims, not the perpetrators of violence in our society,” says Nancy
Fidler, M.A., LCPC, Coordinator of Family Service’s Transitional Learning
Center, a daily rehabilitation program for adults who have been recently
hospitalized for mental illness. “These individuals need our community’s
wholehearted support including ongoing medical treatment, housing, rehabilitation
and other support systems. With this kind of network they can effectively
manage their illness.”
The Illinois chapter of the National Association for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
agrees: ”The tragedy of the Russell Weston story and thousands like him
is that the care they really need is not always available . . . The inability
to provide needed treatment increases the potential for violent acts. The
bottom line is that senseless tragedies can be prevented.” NAMI Illinois
cites the need for treatment centers that provide 24-hour-a-day outreach
and crisis support for those who find it difficult to maintain treatment
regimens. The advocacy group also believes that court ordered outpatient
treatment is necessary for those who do not properly respond to treatment
or otherwise resist recommended services.
One in five Americans will suffer from mental illness during some time in
their lives. With early diagnosis, proper treatment, and community support
and understanding, our mentally ill family members, neighbors and friends
can live full and productive lives within the communities they call home.
Located at 120 S. Marion, Oak Park, Family Service & Mental Health Center
of Oak Park & River Forest is a not-for-profit social service and mental
health agency that provides counseling, psychiatric and prevention/education
programs to men, women, youth and families. To learn more about our programs
or to make an appointment, contact us at (708) 383-7500.
  
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