For years, whenever there has been a shooting or another act of violence, I have said that mental health needs to be made a priority. People around me often focus on gun violence. I understand that concern, but I believe the gun alone is not the problem. A gun—or any weapon capable of causing harm—becomes dangerous when it is used in the wrong hands. I believe our conversations about the Second Amendment and weapons should also include serious attention to mental health and the support people need.
My perspective comes from working with people with intellectual disabilities and mental health needs. I have seen people struggle to express themselves and communicate what kind of care or support they need. Some people with special needs may also experience mental health challenges or need support expressing themselves, understanding social situations, or recognizing consequences. Their needs vary, so we should not assume this applies to everyone. This is why it is important to recognize each person’s needs and make appropriate support available.
The recent shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, is especially heartbreaking. The 16-year-old shooter was reported to have been a former special-needs student at the school, and he attacked a classroom serving students with special needs. Three students and a teacher were killed. Authorities have said the motive remains under investigation, and no specific mental health diagnosis has been publicly confirmed. We should consider these issues in the broader conversation while avoiding assumptions about what explains any individual case.
The Lindsay Clancy case also raises difficult questions about mental health and care. Prosecutors said exercise bands were used to strangle her children. Her mental state and criminal responsibility remain disputed, and the trial ended in a mistrial. These cases remind me that violence can involve objects other than guns. The object matters, but so do the circumstances, the person’s needs, and whether appropriate support was available.
I see children in schools struggling with mental health concerns. Some do not feel that resources are available, and sometimes their needs are not identified. I also hear from college students who are struggling but cannot find a therapist or a provider who can genuinely support them, including with medication management.
Mental health deserves attention and care, without adding to the stigma faced by people with mental health conditions. Most people with mental illness are not violent, and most acts of violence are not caused by mental illness. I believe we need to recognize people’s struggles earlier, make appropriate support easier to access, and include mental health in conversations about violence, weapons, and the Second Amendment.