Is mental illness the real culprit? The string of recent mass shootings has led to questions about how violent behavior can be prevented through better counseling and mental health services. According to UMKC Counseling Center research, out of 716 clients last year, approximately three percent indicated that they had intentionally caused serious injury to another person in their life. Eight percent has made a suicide attempt. “Violent behavior, harming someone else may be ‘related’ to mental illness but not ‘predicted’ by mental illness,” said Marita Barkis, Director of Counseling. “In risk assessment or ‘threat assessment’, one needs to focus on a variety of variables.  I would never bet on mental illness alone.  There is a difference.” For students who may be dealing with mental illnesses, the Counseling Center has many services available such as … Read entire article »