Issues of Mental of Mental Health and Student Safety

Abstract

This chapter draws from data on different kinds of mass shootings that indicate that a major distinguishing feature of school shootings is that in 49% of the cases the assailant is mentally ill. Over time, a copious amount of evidence that has accrued indicating a relationship between mental illness in the assailant and school shootings is too patent to ignore as merely coincidence. However, in the last quarter century or so addressing the issue of mental illness has often been considered politically incorrect. After all, the argument goes, values are supposedly all relative and one might say the shooters, rather than being viewed as aggressors can also be viewed as victims. Given that mental illness is a major factor at work in the shooter’s lives also means that there are often a lot of early warnings that a mass school attack is going to take place. For example, Matti Junani Saari, a Finish attacker warned that he “wanted to kill as many people as possible.” Nikolas Cruz, the Parkland Florida attacker, threatened the lives of many, and introduced himself as the next school shooter. Yet no real preventative action was taken. The author also examines the relationship between drug use and mental illness.