Michigan Church Shooting: Iraq War Veteran Suspected, Sparks Debate on Mental Health and Politics
Gunman in the Michigan LDS church shooting was a veteran of the Iraq War, and this fact immediately throws a spotlight on a complex intersection of issues. The veteran status, in itself, isn’t a cause, but it invites examination of the potential impact of combat experience, PTSD, and the challenges veterans face upon returning home. The military, and particularly the experience of war, can have profound effects on mental health, and the lack of adequate mental health support is a recurring theme when such tragedies occur.
The immediate response from some political factions often involves a familiar script. Some readily frame it as a “mental health issue,” while conveniently avoiding any deeper discussions about the underlying causes or the systemic problems that might contribute to such events.… Continue reading
Matt Underwood