Untreated Mental Illness is a Threat to the Public

The convicted driver who was ploughing people in a car, across a pedestrianised area in Melbourne is of Afghan origin. His action may well be a deliberate act of revenge and a protest, against recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel or any other reason. However not every Muslim would protest this way by harming innocent people. It is the mental state of a person which determines his or her behaviour. What is the difference between a mindset of a violent man with a mental illness and a terrorist? Anyone who inflicts harm on innocent people are mentally ill. An act of terrorism is also an act of an untreated mental illness.

Mental illness is a more common than terrorism and when untreated it becomes a threat to our peace than terrorism. People who are under the influence of drugs, alcohol are in mentally distorted states. Other mentally distorted states when people behave violently are anxiety, depression, anger and overwhelming psychological stress.

Substance abuse is commonly associated with anxiety, depression, stress and past psychological trauma. They must be treated not just with drugs but also be mentally rehabilitated to transform their mental state.

People with distorted mindsets require rehabilitation to heal their emotional trauma and medication or punishment would not make them heal to transform to become better people.

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Dr Sophie Jayamaha

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