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Mind chief: Mental health groups failed to acknowledge violence risk

Created at 5 Sep · 12:06 PM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

The chief executive of Mind, Sarah Hughes, stated that mental health organizations have not adequately addressed the risk of violence from a minority of individuals with severe mental illnesses. This comes ahead of the inquiry into the Nottingham attacks, where a man with paranoid schizophrenia fatally stabbed three people.

Key Numbers

four yearsCEO tenure at Mind
almost four decadessector experience for Mind CEO
13 June 2023date of Nottingham attacks
19-year-oldage of two victims
65-year-oldage of third victim
three countsmanslaughter charges admitted
three countsattempted murder charges admitted
four timesnumber of times Calocane was sectioned
two yearsperiod Calocane was sectioned

Who's Involved

Sarah Hughes
CEO of Mind, advocating for open discussion on mental health and violence risk
Mind
Mental health charity calling for better acknowledgment of violence risk
Valdo Calocane
Perpetrator of the Nottingham attacks, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia
Barnaby Webber
Victim of the Nottingham attacks
Grace O’Malley-Kumar
Victim of the Nottingham attacks
Ian Coates
Victim of the Nottingham attacks
Emma Webber
Mother of victim Barnaby Webber, supporting Mind's statement
Seena Fazel
Professor of forensic psychiatry at the University of Oxford, attending Mind's event

↳ Why This Matters

The acknowledgment of potential violence risk from a minority of individuals with severe mental illness is crucial for public safety and for improving the effectiveness of mental health services, ensuring both patient and public well-being.

Key facts

  • Mind CEO Sarah Hughes believes mental health organizations have not sufficiently acknowledged the risk of violence from a minority of individuals with severe mental illnesses.
  • Hughes stated that efforts to reduce stigma have sometimes led to difficult topics, including violence, being "brushed under the carpet."
  • The comments coincide with the inquiry into the Nottingham attacks, where Valdo Calocane, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, committed fatal stabbings.
  • Calocane admitted to three counts of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and was given an indefinite hospital order.
  • Emma Webber, mother of a victim, supported Hughes's call for organizations to openly discuss the risks of violence.
  • Professor Seena Fazel noted that while the risk of violence is elevated in individuals with schizophrenia, the absolute risk is small and treatable.

Dr. Sarah Hughes, CEO of the mental health charity Mind, has stated that mental health organizations have

Frequently asked questions

The CEO of Mind believes that mental health organizations have not adequately acknowledged the risk of violence associated with a small number of individuals suffering from severe mental illnesses.

Charities have reportedly shied away from this topic due to fears that discussing it could increase stigma and discrimination against people with mental health conditions.

The inquiry was examining the events, acts, and omissions that led to the fatal stabbings of three people by Valdo Calocane, who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

Research indicates that people with schizophrenia do have an elevated risk of violence compared to the general population, but the absolute risk is small, with only a minority committing serious violent acts. This risk can be reduced with available treatments.

What Happens Next

01Mind is set to introduce a new mental health strategy addressing severe mental illnesses and public safety.
02The inquiry into the Nottingham attacks is examining events leading up to the killings.

How It Developed

Mind CEO Sarah Hughes stated that mental health organizations have failed to acknowledge the risk of violence from a minority of people with severe mental illnesses.
Hughes noted that charities have avoided discussing this risk due to fears of increasing stigma and harassment.
The comments were made ahead of the closure of the inquiry into the Nottingham attacks, where Valdo Calocane, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, fatally stabbed three people.
Calocane was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order after admitting three counts of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
The inquiry heard evidence of Calocane's history of violent incidents and refusal to take medication.
Emma Webber, mother of one of the victims, welcomed Hughes's statement, emphasizing the need for organizations to acknowledge the danger posed by some individuals with mental illness.
Professor Seena Fazel confirmed that while people with schizophrenia have an elevated risk of violence, the absolute risk is small and treatable.
Hughes stated that the sector has "shied away" from difficult conversations, but the public is ready for an open dialogue.

Sources

T1
Mental health groups have ‘failed to acknowledge’ risk of violence, says Mind chiefThe Guardian

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