Equating mental health problems with violence – Prejudices resurface in coverage of Norway killings
Mental Health Europe Press Release – August 2, 2011
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Summary: The recent tragic killings in Norway have left 77 people dead and drawn the attention of the entire world. Anders Behring Breivik carried out a shocking attack that demonstrated the dangers of extremism. Many in the media have labeled him a “madman”, a term that Mental Health Europe believes is offensive towards people with mental health problems and contributes to the discrimination and stigmatization they face on a daily basis. According to the World Health Organization, people with mental health problems suffer the most discrimination of all people with disabilities, often as a result of ignorance and prejudice. Reliable studies have shown that mental health problems play no part in the majority of violent crimes and that people with mental health problems are more likely to be victims, rather than perpetrators, of violence. In the case of the Norway tragedy, Breivik may or may not suffer from mental health problems, but no one should instantly assume that he must have mental health problems in order to commit such heinous crimes. By calling Breivik a madman, the media further reinforces damaging stereotypes that affect one of the most vulnerable groups in society.