Risk Factors for Violence in Serious Mental Illness

Research Summary

Criminal Justice Suicide Violence

Most individuals with serious mental illness are not dangerous.
Most acts of violence are committed by individuals who are not mentally ill.
Individuals with serious mental illness are victimized by violent acts more often than they commit violent acts.
Being a young male or a substance abuser (alcohol or drugs) is a greater risk factor for violent behavior than being mentally ill.
No evidence suggests that people with serious mental illness receiving effective treatment are more dangerous than individuals in the general population.

That being said, a small number of individuals with serious mental illnesses commit acts of violence. Individuals who are not being treated commit almost all of these acts; many of them also abusing alcohol or drugs

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