Episode # 439 School shootings and active shootings are a mental health problem, not a gun problem.
School shootings and active shootings are a mental health problem, not a gun problem.
Again, our day has been interrupted with breaking news of another school shooting, with three plus the shooter being killed, and one other injured, at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, or UNLV on Wednesday.
Some will undoubtedly take this as an opportunity to put forth a case for more gun control, but as we have seen in the past, no laws passed have or would have prevented any of these shootings. For one, it was most likely, being a school, a gun-free zone.
No, the problem is not guns. Over 300 million guns were not used to kill anyone, nor were they used in crimes today.
We don't have a gun problem, we have a mental health problem; a mental health crisis.
That’s what we are going to talk about today as we identify some of the signs of mental health issues, AND some common characteristics and behaviors of those school shooters or active shooters.
We’ll also talk about some of the things you can watch for and possibly avoid a future shooting.
When we think of a “school shooter” we usually thing of a young, usually a white male, either a student or recent graduate. There are exceptions, but that’s pretty much the profile that comes to mind. In actuality, there have been white shooters, black shooters, male and female shooters.
We’ve seen two major school shootings on college campuses this year. The first was February 13, 2023 in Lansing Michigan, at Michigan State University, (MSU) perpetrated by a forty one year old male. The second was Wednesday, Dec 6, this week, at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, (UNLV), perpetrated by a sixty one year old male, former college professor.
We do not call the names of active killers on this podcast. We won't give their name any notoriety, and where appropriate today, we'll refer to them as “MSU Shooter" and “UNLV Shooter.”
We begin with some common signs of depression
Persistent Sadness: Feeling sad, empty, or experiencing a generally low mood most of the day, nearly every day.
Loss of Interest or Pleasure: Decreased interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable, including hobbies or social interactions.
Fatigue and Low Energy: Feeling tired or having a lack of energy, even after getting enough sleep.
Difficulty Concentrating: Trouble focusing, making decisions, or experiencing memory problems.
Marked personality changes: Noticeable shifts in behavior, attitudes, or overall personality
Isolation: Withdrawing from social activities, family, and friends.
Changes in personal hygiene: Neglecting personal grooming and cleanliness
Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt: Persistent feelings of guilt or worthlessness, even when there is no apparent cause.
Feelings of hopelessness: Persistent feelings of despair, helplessness, or worthlessness.
Negative Thoughts: Persistent negative thoughts about oneself, the world, or the future.
Suicidal Thoughts: In severe cases, individuals with depression may have thoughts of death or suicide.
If you are experiencing depression, there IS help available.
If you observe these signs in someone, encourage them to seek professional help.
If you are concerned about someone's immediate safety, do not hesitate to contact emergency services or a crisis hotline:
1-800-273-TALK 1-800-273-8255
Text: “Help” to 741741
Active Shooters
There is no single profile that fits all individuals who engage in such acts of violence.
However, researchers and law enforcement have identified certain characteristics and behaviors that may be associated with some individuals who carry out mass shootings.
Mental Health Issues:
Most people with mental health issues do not engage in violence,
All of the individuals who have committed mass shootings have had some type of mental illness.
It may have untreated or under treated but it was there.
Characteristics and behaviors that may be associated
Social Isolation: Many active shooters may exhibit social withdrawal or isolation. They may struggle to form meaningful connections with others.
Lack of Empathy: Difficulty in understanding or experiencing empathy for others.
Failure to Adapt: May have an inability to cope with life stressors, setbacks, or changes in circumstances.
Extreme Ideological Beliefs: Some individuals may be driven by extreme ideological or extremist beliefs, whether political, religious, or social.
History of Bullying or being bullied: feelings of being socially marginalized.
Escalating Aggression: An escalation in aggressive behavior or a noticeable increase in anger and hostility over time.
History of Violence: Some individuals have a history of violence or aggressive behavior, Manifest in various forms, such as domestic violence or assault, or involved in animal cruelty, or killing animals, particularly as teens.
A preoccupation with violence:
Many spend countless hours playing violent video games
Expressing Violent Ideation: Verbal or written expressions
Fixation on Revenge: Fixation on perceived grievances, or grudges, or a desire for revenge against specific individuals or groups.
Fascination with Weapons: An intense interest in firearms and other weapons, often posting photographs of themselves with weapons on social media.
Interest in Previous Shootings: A fascination with previous acts of mass violence and a desire to emulate or surpass them – especially school shooters
No one of these, or even multiples of these, is predictive of a mass shooter, but known characteristics and behaviors of past shooters. However, any of these characteristics may be indicative of the need for mental health services.
At this writing, we don’t yet know much about the UNLV Shooter.
The father of MSU Shooter said his son had anger issues, and, after the death of his mother in 2020, he became reclusive and socially isolated and "started to get evil and mean, and he didn't care about anything anymore, all signs of the typical characteristics shared by mass shooters.
Promoting mental health awareness, early intervention, and fostering supportive communities are essential components of violence prevention efforts. We need to do even more to address the issue of mental health than just throwing more money at it. I don't have the answer, but what has been being done is failing the mentally ill and until we get it addressed, more people will continue to die.
If you are concerned about someone's immediate safety, or concerned about what they might do, do not hesitate to contact emergency services or a crisis hotline.
If they are a student, PLEASE notify the school and talk with a counselor
This gets that student on someone’s radar, and it is all confidential.
Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-TALK 1-800-273-8255
Text: “Help” to 741741
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