Mental healthcare in America and how it relates to violent crime
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Authors
Rofe-Risner, Jacquelyn Y.
Issue Date
2013
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Forensic science
Alternative Title
Abstract
Within the borders of America violent crime rates have seemed to of escaladed; causing undue fear and panic to the public. Is this increase in crime due to people being inherently evil or is it because America has a mental healthcare problem that is not being addressed? The scope of this research paper is to determine if there is a mental healthcare problem in America by examining three groups of respondents with regard to their mental health status, arrest history, their ability to access instruments of crime such as guns, and of course mental healthcare. A research questionnaire was generated asking these specific questions, along with a short mental health assessment to determine if the respondent was suffering from a mental illness if they did not previously self identify a mental illness. The results were conclusive in finding that there is a mental healthcare problem in America resulting in an increase of violent crime. Due to these findings it is important that people understand obtaining mental healthcare is not going to make them appear violent but their fortitude in seeking treatment may keep the general public safer.