ABSTRACT
In the aftermath of tragedies such as those at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University, there has been much discussion about the connection between mental health and campus violence. Any action by a campus that creates a visible link between emotional disorders and violent behavior could worsen the stigma of mental illness and create barriers to seeking help for students concerned about their emotional health. Whether as a means to prevent violence or to increase resiliency after a campus tragedy, a comprehensive plan for mental health promotion and suicide prevention cannot be overlooked when developing a method for protecting students from the devastating impact of campus violence. The connection between mental illness, substance abuse, and violence is important to note, since research has shown that the risk of alcohol use disorders was significantly higher among college students than among their non-college-attending peers.
