Gang violence linked to high level of mental disorders, researchers say

Gang members and men reporting involvement in violent acts were found to be more prone to mental disorders and more likely to access psychiatric services.

A new UK study says young men in gangs have a significantly higher risk of suffering from mental disorders and requiring psychiatric help.

The study surveyed 108 gang members and discovered that half had some type of anxiety disorder. More than 85 percent had some type of personality disorder and 25 percent had positive screenings for psychosis.

It is believed the exposure to excessive violence is the most likely cause of most of these mental health problems. Experts say opportunities to help these young people are often missed.

The research team from Queen Mary, University of London who conducted the study began their research by surveying 4,664 men in Britain between the ages of 18 and 34. A significant number of men from areas known for high gang membership, high ethnic minority and social deprivation were included.

From that population sample, 3,284 men said they had not been violent in the past 5 years, 1,272 men said they had assaulted another person or been involved in a fight and 108 men said they were currently a member of a gang.

Gang members and men reporting involvement in violent acts were found to be more prone to mental disorders and more likely to access psychiatric services.

The study also found that, of the 108 gang members involved in the survey, around a third of them had attempted suicide. However, it also revealed that depression was significantly less common among gang members and violent men.

The lead study author and director of the forensic psychiatry research unit at Queen Mary, Professor Jeremy Coid, explained to BBC News, “It is probable that, among gang members, high levels of anxiety disorder and psychosis were explained by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the most frequent psychiatric outcome of exposure to violence.”

He went on to say that the fear of future violence and victimization led young men to experience extreme anxiety.

MAC-UK, a charity based in Camden and Southwark in London, targets the mental health needs of young people between the ages of 16 and 25 involved in gangs and antisocial behaviour.

Dr Charlie Alcock, chief executive officer of the charity and a clinical psychologist, told BBC News, “We support young people by taking mental health on to the streets and working with them in a place which is convenient and comfortable for them.” She went on to say, “We believe one in three young people has an unmet mental health need.”