A person diagnosed with a serious mental illness (SMI) living in the community was punched, pushed to the ground, and robbed of $7 during the day on a public street. Which statements about violence and SMI in general are accurate? Select all that apply.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mentally ill people are more likely to be victims of crime than perpetrators of criminal acts. They are often victims of criminal behaviour, including sexual crimes, at a higher rate than others. When a mentally ill person commits a crime, it is usually nonviolent. Mental illnesses interfere with employment and are associated with poverty, limiting people with SMI to living in inexpensive areas that also tend to be higher-crime areas. People with SMI may inadvertently provoke others because of poor judgement or socially inappropriate behaviour, or they may be victimized because they are perceived as passive, less likely to resist, and less likely to be believed as witnesses. See related audience response question.

A Person Diagnosed with a Serious Mental Illness (SMI) Living