Mass Violence in America

In 2015, the National Council Board of Directors commissioned the Medical Director Institute (MDI) to advise National Council members on best clinical practices and to address major priorities in care for mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The MDI develops policies and initiatives that serve member behavioral health organizations and their constituent clinicians and the governmental agencies and payers that support them. The MDI is composed of medical directors of organizations who have been recognized for their outstanding leadership in shaping psychiatric and addictions service delivery and draws from every region of the country. One of the ways the MDI fulfills its charge is by developing technical documents that highlight challenges at the forefront of mental health and addictions care, providing guidance and identifying practical solutions to overcome those challenges.

This report addresses the problem of mass violence in the United States and, specifically, the extent to which mental illness is or is not contributing to this social pathology. The report was done because mass shootings are increasing in frequency and severity, and they have captured the national attention.