Florida shooting raises awareness of stigma attached to mental illness

Following Wednesday's shooting rampage at a South Florida high school by a 19-year-old suspect that left 17 dead -- the deadliest school shooting in five years -- Americans are scrambling for answers to make sense of the tragedy. Though there may be red flags that predict violence, mental illness is not one of them. Research has shown again and again that mental illness itself does not significantly increase the risk of violence.Reporting following the massacre has cast alleged shooter Nikolas Cruz as a troubled loner who made disturbing comments on social media. He told investigators that he heard voices in his head, law enforcement sources told ABC News. And an attorney for the family who had taken Cruz in after his adoptive mother died said he was "depressed" following her death but had been going  It's not unusual for a newly orphaned young man to have depressive symptoms. In this situation, seeking mental health care is not only appropriate, but responsible. And though he was expelled from school, thousands of students are asked to leave school each year. It does not mean they return with a legally purchased assault rifle.

Nevertheless, government officials seem oblivious to these facts. While tweeting his thoughts and prayers, President Donald Trump wrote, "So many signs that the Florida shooter was mentally disturbed, even expelled from school for bad and erratic behavior. Neighbors and classmates knew he was a big problem. Must always report such instances to authorities, again and again!"

Florida Governor Rick Scott vowed to keep guns out of the hands of those with mental illness. And Attorney General Jeff Sessions committed to “study the intersection of mental health and criminality and identify how we can stop people capable of such heinous crimes.”

Source :- abcnews