The Evolving (yet largely ignored) National Security Crisis

 

      As we age, we all notice that time is gaining speed.  However, it also opens windows and realization to many other larger problems.  In the past 25-30 years there have been so many violent acts tied inevitably to mental health issues.  We easily accept this at truth yet wonder how things have gotten so out of control.  The problem has indeed grown and adapted over the years.  I approached this as an investigation of the mathematics angle......populations vs. occurrence.  

      During the 1970s, mental health treatment in the United States underwent significant changes due to the ongoing process of deinstitutionalization and a shift towards community-based care.  The 1970s saw a continuation of the trend of reducing the number of state hospitals and their inpatient populations, a trend that began in 1956.  The resident population in state psychiatric hospitals declined dramatically from about 370,000 in 1970 to 40,000 by 2014.

      The Community Mental Health Centers Act of 1963, signed by President Kennedy, played a pivotal role. This act aimed to shift mental health services from large institutions to community-based settings.   

      IN 1970 THE US POPULATION WAS 203.3 MILLION WITH 370,000 IN NEED OF HOSPITALIZATION……. A 1 IN 548 RATIO.  This, of course, involved voluntary services.  To this day there has always been an unavoidable stigma attached to mental health issues. In the 70s this was a very important factor in promoting voluntary care.   

      In 2025 mental health has become a nationwide crisis.  US POPULATION IS 347 MILLION WITH 52.9 MILLION IDENTIFIED WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, A 1 IN 6 RATIO. THIS EQUATES TO 17% OF THE POPULATION

      It stands to reason that if the 'core problem' maintains the number of occurrences will increase with increasing population.  This would be the mathematical approach to logic.  However, you must also address the causes and relations to violence, something not considered in 1970.    

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES?  

      Looking at this from a clinical approach, exposure to gun violence, whether through direct experience or witnessing it, can lead to serious mental health consequences like depression, anxiety, and PTSD.  Conversely, while mental health conditions are not direct causes of violence, they can be risk factors, particularly when combined with other factors like substance abuse or access to firearms.

      It's crucial to understand that mental illness is not a direct cause of violence.  People with mental health conditions are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.  While mental illness itself doesn't cause violence, certain mental health conditions (like severe depression, psychosis, or personality disorders) can be risk factors, especially when combined with other factors like substance abuse, history of violence, or easy access to firearms.   There is certainly enough of that to go around these days.  A public health approach to gun violence prevention focuses on addressing the root causes of violence, including mental health issues, and implementing strategies to reduce exposure to violence and promote mental well-being.  The recent gunman who fired 100 rounds at the CDC in Atlanta was identified as a long time mental health patient.  The examples are a growing population.  

     Policies aimed at reducing gun violence, such as stricter gun control measures and extreme risk protection orders, can also play a role in preventing both violence and suicide.  In 2025, according to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 8,653 deaths due to gun violence, categorized as homicide, murder, or unintentional incidents. Additionally, there have been 15,827 injuries resulting from gun violence. This includes 131 deaths and 288 injuries to children (0-11 years old), and 609 deaths and 1,688 injuries to teens (12-17 years old).

      Finally, we get to my feelings on this.  People identify with their particular 'Locus of Control'.  Most gun violence episodes are the result of an external Locus of Control, meaning that these people tend to praise or blame external factors such as their family, economic status, and any number of a myriad of other external factors. 

      As for adolescents the evolution of change has had a significant effect due to increased stresses from social pressure.  Hey, I never really enjoyed high school and that was in the late 60s.  There have been 'latch key' children for nearly 60 years now and in far too many homes the 'nuclear family' has disappeared.  The 'ages old' societal impact of peer pressure and 'out of control' social media influencers do not help.   

      When JFK signed his Community Based Mental Care Act it put responsibility back on the local level, but the responsibility to seek this help rests solely on the individual.  A friend of mine has a sister with serious mental issues, but can only be held 24 hours unless they diagnose deeper issues, and not without the patient's permission.  

      Gun Control is ineffective with no apparent reasonable solution in sight.  A higher level of education towards guns is sorely needed.  This includes sole responsibility, something sorely lacking in many communities around the country.  Law enforcement needs to be fully supported on the local and state levels.  The local levels are where the serious problems occur.  Police are often far too 'hamstrung' by a liberal local administration and a highly ineffective court system.  

      This is where the illegal immigrant numbers come into play.   There is no evidence to support the claim that undocumented immigrants are responsible for 4,000 deaths in the US annually.  There are no mental health statistics for this population.  It is worth noting that immigrants are statistically less likely to be arrested for violent crimes (especially in sanctuary cities), including homicide, compared to US-born populations.   The opposition to law enforcement of such crimes are strictly based on twisted political motives.  It makes no sense and many of the citizens in those cities are becoming fed up.  In fact, applicants for the growing vacancy of ICE positions is booming.  

 

      The issue of mental health needs to more aggressively pursued.  We have been successful at securing the border, thus nearly eliminating the influx, but we have failed at fixing health care.  The 'left' will surely blame POTUS, but the problem has existed for 62 years.  We are trying to support law enforcement, but not in all crucial states and this might just be another brick in National Jenga.  

    I note that this was a difficult chapter to write as many search results are affected by AI, often skewing the results.  I had to dig much deeper to find the #s I was looking for.  This quote reeks of irony.   MLK, much like JFK, had a much clearer and decent view of our nation's troubles.  

"Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars"

Martin Luther King