Unity As a Population

With the current increase in gun violence throughout the United States, many may argue that there is a deep connection to mental health as presented in daily media. Does mental health have a closer tie to the result of gun violence itself or are individuals overlooking detailed factors of this issue? Many argue over stricter laws which should be implemented over the U.S. to protect its citizens against future encounters. Carolyn Reinach Wolf, director of the Firm's Mental Health Law practice, goes in depth in regard to laws which states have implemented on gun control. In her article, "Missing The Mark: Gun Control Is Not The Cure For What Ails The U.S. Mental Health System,"  Wolf states that many states such as New York have implemented legislation that mandates for mental health professionals to report any individuals who may be likely to participate in conduct of physically harming themselves or others to that persons local police station. States which have mandated these laws, experience the lowest rate of gun violence as opposed to to others who have not followed in this movement. On the other hand, there are others that believe that the issue of gun violence is for the people as a whole to come together and resolve instead of leaving it up to the hand's of politicians. The issue of gun violence and mental health is up to society to come together and acknowledge how to resolve the issue because it will put stress at rest, acknowledge future changes, and grow further outreach.

According to Harvard Medical School, there are many factors that contribute into the act of gun violence, and it is not fully resulted in mental health. For example, circumstances such as domestic issues fall into account. A majority of youth that are getting a hold of firearms are resulted within their own home. Some may argue that the parents of children who participate in gun related activity with the intention of harming, are not doing a good job in securing firearms within the household. The issue of gun violence does not fully go back to mental health as there are many factors, mental health just happens to be at the top of the list. Although mental health does account for the ongoing issue of gun violence, it does not contribute to all 100% and that needs to be acknowledged, as it only accounts for 3-5% of all gun related violence.

Society as a whole needs to make mental health a reform and bring it to its knees. The reason why gun violence is at its current point, is because it is not being properly addressed. Is pushing back the age to purchase a firearm really going to play that much of an impact? There is a serious issue, and politics is highlighting the wrong reasons. The issue on gun violence in relation to mental health is one of complexity, there is no definite cure or reasoning, but there is an opportunity for society to come together as as a whole and speak out even further. If mental health accounts for only a small portion of gun related violence, then society needs to understand what plays into its entirety. Mental health is not the end all be all, and people need to come together and evaluate what is fusing the fire and let their voices be heard.