What role does mental illness play in gun violence?

• Scott LaMar/WITF
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar was formerly the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

Teen boy cries and holds his hand behind his head isolated

Airdate: July 13, 2022

After a mass shooting like the one in Highland Park, Illinois July 4, we ask ourselves what motivated the shooter? Often, many people will cite mental health and say the person who killed our wounded those around him or her was suffering from mental illness.  Sometimes, that is the case, although most research indicates mental illness is a factor in a small percentage of incidents.

The gun bill passed by Congress and signed by President Biden last week includes new money for the treatment of mental illness. Will it stop the rash of mass shooting around the country?

Alexandra Hunt is a health researcher and former Congressional candidate who says mental illness is not one size fits all and what moves most shooters to violence. She appears on Wednesday’s Smart Talk.