The mental health care model in the United States is facing criticism for its approach to diagnosing and medicating individuals, particularly in the context of violent incidents. According to AbleChild, a nonprofit organization focused on transparency and accountability in mental health and pharmaceutical practices, there are significant gaps in how mental health data is collected and reported following mass violence events.
AbleChild points out that while media coverage often highlights a perpetrator’s history of mental illness after a mass shooting, details about their psychiatric drug prescriptions are rarely disclosed. The group argues that this lack of transparency makes it difficult to assess the potential role of prescribed drugs in violent acts.
Recent incidents cited by AbleChild include shootings involving Shane Tamura in Manhattan, Michael Brown in Montana, and Ethan Nieneker in Austin, Texas. In each case, it was reported that the individual had a mental health background, but specifics regarding treatment or medication were not made public.
AbleChild emphasizes the scale of psychiatric drug use in the U.S., referencing 2020 data from IQVia which indicates nearly 77 million Americans take at least one mind-altering drug. The data also reveals that thousands of infants under age one have been prescribed such medications, including antidepressants not approved for this age group.
The organization calls for federal legislation requiring law enforcement agencies to collect comprehensive information on mental health treatment and prescription histories following violent incidents. They propose creating a national database—similar to the National Crime Information Center—that would allow lawmakers and researchers to analyze trends without compromising personal privacy.
Marty Makary, recently appointed as Food and Drug Administration Administrator, commented during an expert panel discussion: “we’re losing the broader battle of addressing mental health in the United States and as a matter of fact, in some respects, we’re going backwards.” He added: “from a national standpoint, the more antidepressants we prescribe, the more depression there is.”
AbleChild has co-written legislation in Tennessee aimed at increasing transparency around mental health treatment and its intersection with public safety. The organization encourages public support through petitions for federal hearings and donations to continue their advocacy work.
