Introduction
Mental illness and crime have a very close link with each other. The complex and sophisticated relationship between both has been discussed by numerous psychological researchers. Individuals having problems with anxiety, depression, or another form of mental disorder can commit a criminal act. The number of people who require help with mental disorders is still higher than the number of available professionals. Similarly, among the youth, criminal actions are increasing along with mental disorders. In federal and other state prisons, around fifty per cent of male prisoners and seventy per cent of female prisoners are facing some kind of mental disorder. Local jails comprise seventy-five per cent women and sixty per cent men who have a need for mental health care recovery.
Discussion
Mental illness can affect and influence an individual’s criminal acts. Media and other organizations are spreading negativity about people who are facing any kind of mental disease. The most important thing is the disassociation of individuals from any kind of criminal activity. People generally have the assumption that any person who has committed a crime must have certain mental issues. These people do not have reality-based evidence or any proof of how psychologically ill persons are involved in criminality. Not all individuals with mental issues are criminals. Some might be involved due to their irrationality and overreaction. An individual was arrested on the charge of setting a house on fire.
The fire department, through investigation, revealed that the man was building homemade bombs. During the proceedings of the trial, it was also revealed that the person was facing severe mental health problems. He had been seeking intervention for many years, but no change had occurred in his mind. During the court proceedings, the judge remarked that it was sad how individuals had treatment that resulted in violence and the firing of a building. The court ordered the conditional imprisonment of the person along with regular psychological intervention (Metzl, 2015). Reacting to the decision of the court, many people were of the opinion that mental issues should not be an excuse for a person to commit a crime; instead, he must face certain harsh punishment. The reaction of the people reveals that the media has no idea about the behavioural aspects and influences of the irrational attitude of the mentally ill person.
The non-availability of realistic information in the media about the relationship between mental illness and crime leaves people free to make unrealistic assumptions. They believe that mentally disabled individuals have erratic and dangerous behaviour. They also pass their ideas to others, which results in the creation of a stigma portraying the mentally ill as violent criminals. Psychological illness also affects the rational capabilities and actions of the individual person. Some people have observed that such ill people should be locked up in jail in order to avoid social and personal damage from irrational individuals.
Proper and professional intervention can help people recover their rational will and thoughts. The person who was involved in the bombing attempt regretted his action after going through the process of psychological intervention. The statement and acknowledgement of the person reveal that he was realistically facing the issues of a mental disorder (Coker, 2014). If his stance had not been considered and the authorities had sent him to jail while charging him as an irrational person, it might have led to more disaster for the individual and the community in general. In the case, the court remarked that jails are not intervention centres.
Before putting anyone in jail on the charge of a criminal act, authorities must consider the fact that there might be some psychological or mental issues. Punishments should be according to the type and nature of the case. Time in jail is not the solution for a mentally ill person. Rather, it will worsen the already bad situation. In the same way, when we separate the stigma from reality, it makes a difference in the lives of criminals. Similarly, after mass shooting incidents and other associated tragedies, there seems to be a problem of mental instability. Certain media personnel and reporters cover the story under the stigma of mental health.
In the same cases of mass shootings or high-profile killings, there is evidence of the problem of mental illness. Committing such an atrocity is not the act of a sane and rational man. We are not focusing on mental problems as the sole issues behind the killing of many people; instead, we argue for the involvement of an ill mind in committing an undue action. Despite the complex and sophisticated nature of mental illness, people just throw out their ideas and consider the issue as a blanket statement (Buchanan, 2017). The shooting at the church in Sutherland, Texas, by David Patrick killed around twenty-seven individuals. The shooter also killed himself. Voices were raised for reforms in gun control policies and programs. However, some sensible individuals are debating whether the man had a mental illness or not.
The speculations regarding the issue have resulted in news coverage that stigmatizes mental illness. The discussion and conversation are right in their nature and type of work, as it happens that mental illness often plays an important role in criminal activity. The issue is how people converse with each other. In the same way, the complexities underlying mental problems are not tackled properly. The issue, if not addressed professionally, leaves space open for thinking that people’s mental instability is very dangerous. A kind of threat then comes out of mentally ill people, and society hesitates to recognize them as its members. Those persons having certain mental issues, if treated with affection, love, and positive relationships, can have the ability to play positive roles rather than killing people.
Normal people and members of society are also affected by media coverage of certain criminal activities. If an individual feels that the media is stigmatizing mental illness in certain coverage, he/she must turn away from that particular channel in order to avoid the influence of the coverage. This is because an individual needs to take care of himself. The individual can have the ability to strengthen his/her mental health. Similarly, regular contact with a therapist and psychologist will enhance people’s ability to deal with any kind of criminal activity.
Conclusion
Concluding the discussion, mental disorders have a considerable effect on the criminal behaviour of an individual. Certain suicidal and mass shooting cases have revealed that mental instability could lead to massive destruction in the community. Data on prisoners in different states of the United States also support the idea that the majority of criminals are living with some kind of mental illness. In jails, they are becoming more depressed and cruel due to their treatment by correctional officers. American society has a significant need for highly professional psychologists who will help criminals and other individuals play a positive role in the development of the community.
References
Metzl, J. M., & MacLeish, K. T. (2015). Mental illness, mass shootings, and the politics of American firearms. American journal of public health, 105(2), 240-249.
Coker, K. L., Smith, P. H., Westphal, A., Zonana, H. V., & McKee, S. A. (2014). Crime and psychiatric disorders among youth in the US population: an analysis of the national comorbidity survey–adolescent supplement. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 53(8), 888-898.
Buchanan, A., & Wootton, L. (Eds.). (2017). Care of the mentally disordered offender in the community. Oxford University Press.
Academic Master Education Team is a group of academic editors and subject specialists responsible for producing structured, research-backed essays across multiple disciplines. Each article is developed following Academic Master’s Editorial Policy and supported by credible academic references. The team ensures clarity, citation accuracy, and adherence to ethical academic writing standards
Content reviewed under Academic Master Editorial Policy.
