title: Violent Extremism, Community-Based Violence Prevention, and Mental Health Professionals.
abstract: New community-based initiatives being developed to address violent extremism in the United States are utilizing mental health services and leadership. This article reviews current approaches to preventing violent extremism, the contribution that mental illness and psychosocial problems can make to violent extremism, and the rationale for integrating mental health strategies into preventing violent extremism. The authors describe a community-based targeted violence prevention model and the potential roles of mental health professionals. This model consists of a multidisciplinary team that assesses at-risk individuals with comprehensive threat and behavioral evaluations, arranges for ongoing support and treatment, conducts follow-up evaluations, and offers outreach, education, and resources for communities. This model would enable mental health professionals in local communities to play key roles in preventing violent extremism through their practice and leadership.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL; †Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; ‡Private Practice; §Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX; and ∥Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR.
authors.forename: Stevan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Weine
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: Aliya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saeed
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shanfield
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beahrs
authors.forename: Alisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gutman
authors.forename: Aida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mihajlovic
mesh_terms: D006078:Government Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011057:Politics; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D023481:Terrorism / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control*