Buffalo, NY (WBEN) As we continue our in-depth focus this week on gun violence, gun violence and mental health takes center stage with headlines tying the two together on a regular basis.
One local mental health expert says the link between mental illness and violence gun crime isn't as strong as some would believe.
Kelly Dumas of Best Self Behavioral Health says mental health has come up in gun violence talks, but "I do think it's important to highlight a majority of people with mental illness will never become violent."
Dumas says only 3 to 4 percent of those with mental illness commit violent crime. She says the stigma of mental health leads to that being brought up in gun violence discussions.
Dumas says it's important to consider other factors. "You have to look at someone having access to a gun, they're at higher risk of gun violence than those with mental illness. Someone who's involved in drug dealing or substance abuse, that increases the potential for gun violence. Domestic violence is also a factor," explains Dumas.
Dumas says mental health professionals can play a role in preventing gun violence, but they alone are not the answer.
"We have to come together to start having dialogue about gun violence so we can identify all of the risk factors outside of mental health," notes Dumas. "When I say all community members, those are individuals living with mental health professionals, that includes police officers."
Dumas says everyone needs to be at the table to identify what the various issues are that lend to gun violence in the community, then put together a plan for solutions.
