Targeted Violence Intervention & Prevention Treatment
Mental Health-Informed Approach
From grievance-based school and workplace shootings, to hate crimes, to ideologically-motivated terrorist attacks, incidents of targeted violence and terrorism continue to devastate communities across the country. Preventing acts of targeted violence before they occur is one of the most urgent and complex challenges facing the United States. While traditional security and law enforcement efforts play an essential role in responding to these threats, their authority to intervene is restricted unless actions rise to the level of criminal activity or constitute a legally defined threat to public safety. What our traditional efforts lack are proactive strategies that don’t just react to violence but work to prevent it before it happens.
A mental health-informed approach to targeted violence and terrorism prevention fills this gap. Rather than waiting for warning signs to escalate into criminal acts, a public health-informed approach focuses on early intervention and draws on decades of research in public health, behavioral health, psychology, and criminology to address the complex factors that contribute to violence.
At the heart of a mental health-informed approach is identifying the factors that increase or reduce the likelihood of violence. Risk factors are characteristics or conditions that may increase an individual’s susceptibility to engaging in violence. These can include factors like social isolation, lack of access to mental health and wellness resources, or having a history of trauma. Protective factors mitigate risk factors, and can include factors like strong social connection and trust in institutions.
Assessment Protocols
o Conducted by analysts with training in online radicalization and extremist movements o Include an analysis of the referred individual’s online footprint and social media profiles o Produce a consolidated case file including: Social media findings Known behavioral risk factors The incident(s) that precipitated the report to IMPACT An assessment of the referees engagement with violent online networks
Treatment Protocols
- Diagnostic and Risk Assessment - Treatment Planning - Targeting objective and individualized risk factors - e.g. “push/pull factors” - Skill building/Increasing protective factors - e.g. prosocial community building - Treating underlying issues (the “why”) - e.g. isolation, nihilism, low self-worth, negative emotionality/hostility - Monitoring demonstrated changes -over time - Individual Therapy - Utilizing Cognitive Behavioral and Person-Centered Therapeutic Approaches - Mentorship/Family participation - Coordination with local law enforcement (incl probation) - Monitoring safety