This blog post explores why individuals with mental illness commit crimes amid weakened social bonds and methods to prevent such incidents.
In the past, Korea was considered a safe country with good public security because, unlike the US, gun ownership was prohibited, so people didn’t die from gunshot wounds, and unlike Japan, brutal and bizarre random killings didn’t occur. However, crimes occurring in Korea recently are becoming increasingly vicious and cruel. Whenever people encounter such crimes, they cannot help but feel horror, fear, or pity. Crimes motivated by money, pleasure, or the satisfaction of desires are on the rise.
Among the crimes currently occurring in Korea, some are committed by individuals with mental disorders. The problem is that two out of three of these offenders reoffend, and violent crimes in particular are increasing. Last year, violent crimes such as murder, robbery, rape, and arson committed by individuals with mental disorders reached 501 cases. Notably, the proportion of murderers with mental illnesses has steadily increased, reaching 4.6% last year.
One expert stated, “While crimes committed by the mentally ill are often classified as unmotivated crimes because there is frequently no correlation between the suspect and the victim, in reality, they are often committed due to social structural causes such as weakened social bonds, economic frustration, and social discontent.” He explained, “As competition intensifies, those left behind become frustrated and withdrawn, making them more likely to express their dissatisfaction and aggression through violent crimes.”
Our society tends to avoid those different from ourselves. Even slight differences from social norms or personal preferences lead people to draw boundaries and distance themselves rather than understand or accept them. This is especially true for those with mental illnesses. When such a person boards the subway, everyone stares at them before averting their gaze, and if they come near, people step back. This stems not just from a departure from the concept of ‘normal,’ but from the discomfort and fear arising because they differ from each individual’s perception of ‘normal.’ This situation becomes even more pronounced when they enter society, resulting in people with mental illnesses suffering significant wounds and pain. As Researcher Kim Ji-hwan stated, while these crimes may superficially appear to be ‘random’ acts without motive, they are actually driven by various problems stemming from the environment these individuals find themselves in.
The recently popular drama ‘Good Doctor’ vividly portrays this issue. The protagonist is an autistic character with savant syndrome. As a doctor possessing exceptional memory and spatial perception skills, his diagnostic abilities are outstanding. However, due to his condition, he faces situations he struggles to control, leading to much misunderstanding and hurt. The protagonist states, “It’s familiar and natural that everyone hates me. But I can’t lie. Yet no one believes me.” Though he dreams of becoming a doctor, those around him reject him, believing they cannot entrust patients to someone with a mental illness. The discrimination and hardship faced by people with mental illness are thus severe.
Even people without mental illness often fear interpersonal relationships in society. They often live by carefully watching their words and actions, suppressing themselves according to the situation. Not only is this behavior difficult for people with mental illness to maintain, but they often don’t even get the chance. Because of the negative image associated with the word “mental illness,” people don’t approach them or reach out. In this situation, people with mental illness may feel the urge to express their frustration through crime.
To solve this problem, we must first prevent people with mental illness from committing crimes. They need social support and attention. The government must support their economic activities and structurally establish centers or spaces for them to meet others. The medical community and volunteers must create an environment where their mental health can be systematically cared for. Social systems and events to boost their motivation are also needed. If even one person listens to their stories and helps them, preventing the weakening of social bonds and their marginalization, the emergence of further illnesses within their hearts can be prevented.
