According to Jillian Peterson, a psychologist at Hamline University, “most mass shooters experienced early childhood trauma and exposure to violence at a young age” (Peterson 537). While the types of trauma varied, Peterson explained that this is often a “precursor to mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, thought disorders, or suicidality.” (Peterson 537). Mental health and childhood trauma is a recurring theme amongst those who participate in violent crime. However, not all mass shooters are mentally ill, and the stigma that those who are mentally ill are violent is untrue and harmful. As Vintiadis says, “Generalizing the whole population (that of the mentally ill or to the not mentally ill) is unfair and not supported by evidence” (Vintiadis 546). This being said, addressing and treating mental health at its roots could be what makes the difference in bringing down rates of mass shootings. Furthermore, addressing substance abuse could lower the rates of mass shootings. Philosophy teacher Elly Vintiadis points out that “There is substantial evidence that people with mental illness who do end up committing violent