Dr Sarah Hughes, chief executive of the mental health charity Mind, stated that the sector has not adequately recognized the potential for violence among a minority of individuals with severe mental health conditions. Hughes, who has worked in mental health for nearly four decades, made these remarks as a public inquiry into significant violent incidents prepares to conclude its proceedings.
The inquiry examined circumstances surrounding attacks that occurred in June 2023, in which three people were fatally stabbed. The attacker had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and had previously been sectioned multiple times. He was later sentenced to an indefinite hospital order following admissions of manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility and attempted murder charges. During the inquiry proceedings, evidence was presented by various local authorities, health professionals, and law enforcement officials regarding events and actions preceding the incidents.
Hughes explained that mental health organizations have avoided discussing violence risks because of concerns that doing so would increase stigma and discrimination against individuals with mental health conditions. She stated the sector had “softened the truth” in efforts to combat discrimination. However, Hughes stressed that while the majority of people with mental health conditions do not commit violent acts, acknowledging that some do is essential for public safety conversations.
Seena Fazel, a professor of forensic psychiatry, noted that while individuals with schizophrenia do face elevated violence risk compared to the general population, the absolute risk remains small and can be reduced through available treatments. He emphasized that risk increases when additional factors are present, such as substance abuse or prior violence history.
Hughes indicated that Mind held a recent roundtable discussion with experts to address the role mental health services should play in public and patient safety. She called for improved government support for severe mental illness treatment, adequate hospital bed availability, assertive outreach services, and enhanced accountability and communication among service providers. Hughes emphasized that patient and public safety need not be mutually exclusive within an improved mental health system.
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