When a Mentally Ill Person Threatens Violence

D.J. Jaffe, executive director of Mental Illness Policy Org, discusses what can be done if one suspects that a friend or family member who suffers from mental illness is potentially going to commit a violent act.

Recently there have been several incidents that involved violence perpetrated by people with mental illness, including random slashings around the city and the death of a 62-year-old man at the hands of a fellow resident at a Harlem shelter.

Jaffe said that while a small group of the severely mentally ill—a subset of four percent of the population—are more likely to commit acts of violence than the general public, they lack the proper services to prevent them from committing violent acts. For those who have a history of violence, Kendra's Law  can be implemented, but Jaffe said the law is often underutilized in New York and ultimately the police handle most cases of violence perpetrated by the mentally ill, often after the fact. For those seeking advice and resources, regarding this issue, you can visit Mental Illness Policy Org.