Hesse is planning compulsory reporting for mentally ill people after acts of violence!

Hesse is planning compulsory reporting for mentally ill people after acts of violence!

After the shocking acts of violence of the last few months, a crucial question arises: How can we increase security in Germany and at the same time protect people's rights? In this context in particular, a possible reporting requirement for mentally ill people in Hesse is being hotly debated. This idea is finding increasing support, especially after mass shootings and terrorist attacks that cast their shadow over our society. According to the FAZ The motives behind such acts are intensively researched in order to be able to classify them better. Be it amok, terror or assassination – the political and social reactions to it are almost identical, but the causes could be more complex.

Politically motivated acts that aim to kill large numbers of people are classified as acts of terrorism. The events in Magdeburg in December and the tragedy in Hamburg are just a few examples that led CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann to demand a central register for mentally ill violent criminals. There is currently no such register in Germany. Hesse is therefore planning to register certain mentally ill people with the police, which will once again spark the debate about private versus public well-being.

Mental illness and radicalization

But how are mental illnesses and radicalization ultimately connected? A study that deals intensively with this topic shows that not all acts of violence are linked to an Islamist background. Many, like an Afghan who attacked a kindergarten group in Aschaffenburg in January, had underlying mental illnesses. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution plays a key role here by identifying over 27,000 people with potential for “Islamism”. These also include around 480 so-called “threats”, with around 100 of them already in custody. These cases make it clear that radical Islamism affects only a small part of the Muslim population, which in total consists of around 5.5 million peaceful people the time notes.

Interestingly, it has been shown that psychological disorders can be both a cause and a consequence of radicalization processes. While some scientific studies do not find a clear connection between mental disorders and radicalization, others point to the increased likelihood of mental illness in lone perpetrators, who often come from an environment of isolation and a lack of support. These individuals often operate in the shadows of the ideological and economic issues that surround terrorism.

The role of advice and prevention

The discussion about mandatory reporting also raises the question of how we can respond appropriately to mental disorders. Professionals warn that serious mental illnesses, such as delusional or autistic disorders, can significantly impact counseling processes. Post-traumatic stress disorders and suicidal thoughts, which often occur in those affected, must be given particular attention when working with radicalization patients. Experts are required here to quickly and effectively address problems such as: bpb points out.

At the same time, prevention is crucial: If radical ideas are to be avoided, social isolation and the associated psychological stress must be taken seriously. Because while ideologies act as a framework that creates meaning, the danger of radicalization remains always present - even among people who are mentally unstable.

The topic therefore remains current and complex. There needs to be a sensitive approach to both the potential perpetrators and the affected groups in society. Only then can we find a way that brings security and individual rights into a harmonious balance.