How 'us vs. them' contributes to violence
A recent article in USA Today argued that most mass shootings and gun violence are not the result of mental illness.
While the article may be technically correct in saying that chronic disorders like schizophrenia are not often associated with these deadly acts of violence, a variety of mental health conditions most certainly are.
What doesn't help is the word play that many use about what "mental illness" is or isn't, that contributes to divisiveness, confusion, and lack of understanding, that inhibits the critical conversations we must have to prevent further acts of violence.
This confusion is what I aim to clarify, in the name of prevention.
Illness is not the only health issue
In basic scientific terms, we know that behaviors are the observed result of neurological and physiological activity, influenced by one's genetics and environment.
What often makes the topic of violence and aggression extra difficult is the notion of "good vs. evil"---that is, we tend to perceive harm done to someone who is good (or not deserving) as an act of evil, while harm done to someone who is perceived as evil (or deserving) as an act of good, with empathy and understanding only allowed for the good.
Because of how the brain works, it is extremely difficult to empathize with someone who has caused us harm, and we have an unconscious survival instinct to stick with those who make us feel safe, to defend ourselves against those who pose a threat---reinforcing the "us" (good) vs. "them" (evil) paradigm.
This is also why it becomes extra complicated and confusing when hurt people hurt people---when those who've been hurt feel justified in hurting others.
When we don't allow ourselves to feel empathy for those who hurt us---that is, having an unbiased sense and understanding of the experience and condition of another---we inhibit our own ability to understand, heal, and prevent further harm.
And it's not just a matter of willpower...
The "us vs. them" paradigm relates directly to how competing parts of the brain operate---most notably the amygdala (that triggers reactive defense) vs. the prefrontal cortex (that powers proactive problem solving).
A greater focus on brain health
The amygdala and prefrontal cortex are two of the most important parts of the brain to understand when it comes to emotions, attitudes, and behaviors.
The amygdala is the most primitive part of the brain that acts as a reactive defense center (e.g., fight or flight), and is connected to long-term memory. When there is a perceived threat, the amygdala gets signaled first, releasing stress hormones and neurochemicals like cortisol and adrenaline that prepare the body to fight or run away.
At the same time, the activation of your amygdala also impairs the prefrontal cortex that is responsible for higher executive functioning like emotional regulation, impulse control, critical thinking, and empathy.
This is why when you feel threatened, scared, or angry your heart races, your mouth feels dry, your muscles tense, and you might even jump or scream before you know what happened.
This is also why it's incredibly difficult to feel empathy for someone who has done you harm, who you perceive as a threat---when your amygdala is in control.
Understanding, healing, and prevention
With acts of violence, there is often a connection to emotional trauma, bullying, and ridicule as well. While these conditions are not mental illnesses, they pose serious risks to mental health. When unrecognized and untreated, these chronic stressors can lead to more serious mental and behavioral health conditions.
Does this mean that EVERY person who is traumatized, bullied, or ridiculed will develop a serious mental health condition? No.
Does this mean that EVERY person who struggles with a mental health condition will develop a mental illness or become violent? Absolutely not.
Why? Because we all have diverse genetics and life experiences that impact our physiological and neurological health and development in different ways.
That's also why understanding brain health is so important. When we don't provide proper care and healing, we increase the risk of more serious mental and behavioral health conditions, including harm toward self and others.
There are many ways to mitigate the impact of stressors on the brain that can impact mental and behavioral health, including self-awareness, seeking safety and social support, prioritizing rest and nourishment, and of course accessing mental health care and therapy that can help with healing and resilience.
Without awareness or access to these critical health services and practices, the impact of emotional trauma will continue to manifest in unhealthy ways, including violent behaviors.
Knowledge is POWER, and sometimes uncomfortable
The topic of violence and mental health can be extremely uncomfortable and mentally challenging, especially if you are the victim or target of violence.
What's often lacking in conversations about violence and mental health is awareness of brain function, health, and healing, and why we feel the way we do.
If you find this topic challenging or uncomfortable, please know that you are understood, and that the discomfort you feel is normal, as your brain works hard to understand what threatens you (that's still difficult for me too).
And that's why mental fitness is such an important practice, to promote brain health and mental well-being.
It's important to remember that mental health is as much about brain health as it is behavioral health and healing, whether from emotional trauma, chemical imbalance, or any number of other psychological, physiological, or neurological conditions that can affect neurological or physiological activity, including perceptions, thought patterns, attitudes, and behaviors.
Just as we must understand cancer and car accidents to save lives, so too must we understand violent behaviors to provide proactive care, treatment, and prevention.
That's why we must continue to have uncomfortable conversations like this, to work out our brains like we would a muscle---to share more, learn more, and know more---because knowledge is powerful, and healing.