In response to the recent shootings some legislators have pointed to increased mental health services as an alternative solution to gun control. Even though the “link” between mental illness and gun violence is not very strong (1), mental illness affects over 1 in 4 Americans (2). Regardless of whether those politicians are correct to link mental illness to gun violence, as a problem affecting over 1 in 4 Americans it deserves Congress’ attention.
(1)
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/director/2011/understanding-severe-mental-illness.shtml
(2)
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-numbers-count-mental-disorders-in-america/index.shtml
