The American shooter does not fit one profile, but the ones who are most worrisome and cause the greatest danger seem to fit some common descripters including the following:
- male
- troubled
- isolated
- worrisome past behaviors, connections
In few to none of the mass shooting incidents are family members, coworkers, or friends surprised at these events. In most of the cases, the shooters who create such havoc show signs of struggle, worry, and need. In society, we don't have enough supports to help people like this, and those that live or work with such men, typically have worried for a long time about their health, safety, and the safety of those that they are near.
Some friends and family members are surprised because they don't know the signs of struggle that exist or they are afraid to reckon with the fear and/or violence they live with.
If we truly want to rid the United States of this hateful violence, we can. Other countries have done this. What can we do?
- Focus on optimal care for children from birth on--too many young people do not get what they need to thrive in childhood.
- Help families know how to parent and support young children in optimal ways.
- Provide substantial mental health and physical health supports to all children, particularly those who fall far from the mean requiring greater attention and support.
- Create ready help lines and support for families of children that face grave struggles and show signs of harm towards themselves and others.
- Limit guns across the country, particularly guns related to people who demonstrate signs of mental illness, violence, and harm.
If we take a public health focus to this problem, we will be able to solve this problem. The time to make change is now--all of our loved one's safety and good living depends on this. None of us want to be the victims of such violent hate and harm, and we must act if we want to rid our country of this violence.