Over the last couple of years mass shootings have occurred more frequently in America. In the past, mass shootings have occurred in movie theaters (Aurora, Colorado), elementary schools (Sandy Hook), universities (Virginia Tech), night clubs (Orlando, Florida) and everyday places. These mass shootings have taken and affected the lives of so many Americans, and because of the frequent reoccurrence of mass shootings, people are wondering what causes them. Many people would say that mental illnesses is the main cause of mass shootings, but when looking at statistics it is proven that not even one fourth of mass shooters are mentally ill. This false belief is affecting those who suffer from mental health issues and also it is not solving the problem of mass shootings. This information has caused many to question two things: Why many people associate mass shootings with mental illnesses, and what the actual relationship is between mass shootings and mental illness. Even though the media and government cause a large number of people to believe mental illness is the main cause for mass shootings, various studies, statistics, and research all show that mental illnesses are not a direct cause of mass shootings; The main cause of mass shootings has not yet been discovered, but researchers have discovered that there are various things that often lead to mass shootings.

Mass shootings are commonly defined as a shooting where four or more people are killed. However, the definition of mass shootings varies depending on who is defining it. Some say a mass shooting is when two or more people are killed, others say a mass shootings is when more than one person is killed. Just like mass shootings, mental illness can also be defined in numerous ways. Mental illness is any disorder that affects a person’s mood, thought process, and behavior. There are a vast amount of mental illnesses, and there are different levels of severity within each of these illnesses. Because there are so many ways to define both mass shootings and mental illness, it makes the relationship between the two harder to understand. However, detailed research mostly shows that mental illness is not the main cause for mass shootings. The true relationship between mental illness and mass shootings is important to know in order to limit the amount of mass shootings in the future. To limit the number of mass shootings that happen in the future, people need to be aware of the true conditions of mass shootings, so the right action can be taken to prevent them. 

Throughout the years there has been an accumulation of mass shootings that have happened in America. Actions, such as legislation linking mental illness to gun violence, have been proposed and passed, to help reduce the number of mass shootings that happen (Rosenwald). However, these actions have been unsuccessful, probably because there is no true correlation between mass shootings and mental illness. A study by Everytown for Gun Safety found that between 2009 and 2015 only eleven percent of mass shooters were suspected of having mental health issues (Templeton). Another study, one done by Michael Stone, a forensic psychiatrist, found that on average about two out of ten mass killers were suffering from some type of mental illness when they committed their crime (Rosenwald). This information is astonishing to some, but when looking at how many people suffer from mental illnesses it all makes sense. One in four people suffer from mental health issues, so if mental illness was an actual cause of mass shootings, mass shootings would be happening more frequently then they are now (Morton). Some argue against these statistics claiming that all mass shooters are mentally ill because a sane person would never be capable of having the urge to kill a large amount of people. However, this is false. On average eight out of ten mass shooters kill because they are unable to control extreme emotions (Rosenwald). Many mental health experts have also discovered and said, “a person suffering from a mental illness is about eleven times more likely to be a victim of a mass shooting, rather than commit one” (Morton; Templeton). 

Even though research shows that there is no direct relationship between mental illness and mass shootings, many people believe that mental illness is the common denominator in mass shootings. In the past some mass shooters, such as the Virginia Tech and the Aurora Colorado shooters, have been diagnosed as mentally ill, but there is no broad, clear evidence that shows that mental illness was the actual cause of the mass shootings. 

There are various factors that lead people to believe mental illness plays a major from in mass shootings. This assumption begins with the idea that mental illness and violence are linked together (Metzl). Some argue that mental illness causes a person to commit such an outrageous crime, but it has been discovered that it is the lack and failure of treatment of mental illness that leads to these crimes. (Hoffner 1). Experts have noted that a majority of mentally ill people do not take part in violent acts (“Using Research Evidence,” McGinty). Only about four percent of violence in the United States is committed by people diagnosed with mental illnesses (Metzl). When it comes to spreading this information, the media is most at fault for leading people to believe that mass shootings and mental illnesses are directly related. The media often presents mental illnesses inaccurately and negatively, making mentally ill people appear violent and disturbed (Hoffner 1). In the past, many mass shooters have appeared to have some type of mental illness, while in other cases the mental health status of the shooter was not clear (“Using Research,” McGinty). The lack of information regarding certain mass shootings led the media to falsely represent mental illness and mass shootings. The media has had such an impact on the American population that in 2013, about fifty percent of Americans believed that people with mental illnesses were more likely to carry out violent acts (“Serious Mental Illness” McGinty 17). This information shows how the media has influenced the beliefs of the American population. However, the media is not the only factor that causes people to associate mental illness with mass shootings. 

Another thing that leads to this assumption is the government’s responses to mass shootings. Almost every mass shooting that has happened in the past few years has brought about plans to reform the mental health system (Rosenwald). This has affected how Americans view the American mental health system. A study found the sixty-three percent of Americans believe mass shootings reflect a problem in the mental health system, rather than inadequate gun control (“News Poll”). During Obama’s time in office, he responded to mass shootings eight times, and each time he prompted plans to reform the mental health system and the gun laws (Rosenwald). So often when there is a mass shooting the government’s first points fingers at mental illness and this has shaped how Americans see mental health. 

The whole notion that mental illness causes mass shootings and that mentally ill people are violent has various effects on the mental health world. This association between mental illness and mass shootings is not only false, but it also harms those suffering from mental health issues (Morton). Because of the assumption that mentally unstable people are violent, mentally unstable people are less likely to seek treatment because of fear and humiliation, and also they are restricted when they are medically diagnosed (Rosenwald). Tom Templeton, a public policy specialist stated in his article “Assumption of Mental Illness in Shootings Growing, Wrong,” “the exaggerated perception that mental illness causes mass shootings worsens the already pervasive stigma that exists for those who posses a mental health condition” (Templeton). This belief has not only impacted mentally ill people, but it has also caused people to fear those with mental illnesses. Twenty-nine percent of Americans that participated in a survey said that they would not be open to working with someone with a mental illness; During this same survey only thirty-three percent said they were willing to have a person with a mental illness as a neighbor (“Serious Mental Illness,” McGinty). This whole notion that mental illnesses cause mass shootings and that mentally ill people are violent has impacted the entire American population. It has also lead to a series of mental health reforms that promote keeping guns away from those diagnosed as mental ill, in hopes to prevent mass shooting.

Even though there has been much research done on mass shooters and shootings, there is no specific cause of mass shootings that can be found. The characteristics of each mass shooter differs and their reason for killing also varies, and this is another reason why mental illness can not be named as the main cause for mass shootings. In the past most people who committed mass shootings suffered from extreme emotions and were unable to control their emotions The inability to control these emotions and themselves is what led them to commit mass shootings. Also, most mass shooters have motivations for killing whether it is personal, political, or religious (Templeton). 

Many mental health experts have suggested ways, which do not completely focus on mental illness, that could help prevent mass shootings from happening in the future. According to research, addressing mental health directly to reduce the number of mass shootings will not have a meaningful impact on their frequency (Templeton). However, experts have proposed other  ideas that are focused on the entire population. Gun violence experts have suggested prohibiting those who have documented violent tendencies from owning guns. This would only be for a certain amount of time (years), until they can prove they are not a threat to themselves and others (“Using Research, McGinty”). Another proposed action was the development of new mechanisms for law enforcement to have the ability to seize guns and weapons from anyone who is reported as a threat to themselves or others (“Using Research,” McGinty). Both of these suggestions could have the ability to slightly reduce the frequencies of mass shootings because they are not only directed towards the mentally ill but the entire American population. However, America is not going to see a significant reduction of mass shootings until guns and the right to bear arms is taken away. 

Mass shootings have certainly become an issue in America in the past couple of years, and they are not going to end if people are not aware of the true cause of them. There are so many false assumptions about mass shootings, and the first step in reducing the number of mass shootings is correcting these assumptions. Mass shootings will always pose threat as long as people have guns, but there are several ways that America can reduce the reoccurrence of mass shootings. However, there is only one way to stop mass shootings from happening in the future, and this is to ban guns, both legal and illegal, from all people, not just those suffering from mental health issues. 
