The Structural Harms of Providing Mental Health Services Through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
Heather Swadley, Assistant Professor in Political Science at Lehigh University
"This paper analyzes the effects of tying mental health to gun violence through legislation. Specifically, it argues that the rhetoric and policy mandates enacted in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act reproduce internal, interpersonal, and structural stigma against people with mental health disabilities. Investments in community-based services are sorely needed, but tying these reforms to gun violence prevention will increase stigma."