WARWICK — During a mid-September webinar on mass violence, experts and local agencies emphasized that prevention depends on early intervention and collaboration across communities.

The state Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals hosted the event with Dr. Joseph Parks, principal medical advisor for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and a leading voice in national research on mass violence.

Parks presented findings from the council’s most recent report, “Mass Violence in the United States.”  The report examines the scope, causes and solutions to mass violence in the United States.

Parks told attendees that while mass shootings and other mass attacks are terrifying, they are statistically rare – accounting for less than 1% of homicides nationally. Still, their frequency and impact are increasing, making preparedness and prevention critical.

“Mass violence is a communitywide problem that cannot be solved by any one organization or system alone,” Parks said, stressing the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies, schools, health care providers, courts and community leaders.

Mental illness ‘not a significant driver’

One point that Parks emphasized in the webinar was that “mental illness is not a significant driver of mass violence. The incidence of mental illness among people perpetuating mass violence is about the same as the general population.”

Instead, he said, perpetrators often share patterns of social isolation, grievances at work or school, suicidal thinking and careful planning before their attacks. Communities should focus on behavior-based threat assessments rather than trying to profile people by demographic traits.

The report highlighted specific prevention measures, including multidisciplinary threat-assessment teams in schools and workplaces, early intervention for individuals in crisis and public education in programs such as mental health first aid. Such measures are gaining ground in Rhode Island.

Parks cautioned against overreliance on high-cost security measures or zero-tolerance school policies, which research shows can be ineffective or even harmful.

RI ranks low in mass shootings, but …

Parks also told participants something that many already knew: Rhode Island ranks low nationally in mass shootings per capita.

“Rhode Island is doing pretty good compared to some other states,” he said. “Rhode Island is ranked 42nd.”

Mass violence, according to the National Council, includes armed assaults. While it can take many forms, Parks said most research focuses on mass shootings because they cause the greatest loss of life and most severe emotional impact on the public.

Parks pointed to a statistic that illustrates the Ocean State’s comparative standing in gun safety.

“Rhode Island is among the three states with the lowest number of firearm deaths per 100,000 individuals,” he said.

Even so, said Richard Leclerc, director of the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals, recent national events make the issue pressing for Rhode Islanders.

“Given the recent incidents we have seen nationally, and the increasing frequency, I think the topic is timely for all Americans,” Leclerc said. “We all need to be aware of how to reduce the threat of violence in places where we gather, and we need to be aware of signs that people in our lives are struggling and need help.”

New tools: 9-8-8 crisis line, 8 clinics

Leclerc said Rhode Island has expanded services through the 9-8-8 crisis line and eight new Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, which provide mobile crisis teams.

“We are always trying to improve mental health care and make it more accessible,” Leclerc said. “The eight CCBHCs provide emergency and mobile crisis response teams to assist people who are in need of emergency mental health care.”

The webinar also highlighted how prevention efforts must be tailored to local communities. Parks said programs such as Mental Health First Aid can be adapted for schools, first responders and other groups.

Dawn Allen, interim CEO and chief of staff at Thrive Behavioral Health in Warwick, said her organization has expanded its role through a partnership with the National Council.

“We partner with them because they’re really a leader in mental health and substance use treatment,” Allen said. “They are the technical assistance experts for certified community behavioral health clinics.”

She said Thrive has embedded a clinician with the Warwick Police Department and runs a 24/7 mobile crisis response team in Kent County.

“If somebody’s in crisis due to mental illness or substance use, they can reach out to Thrive, and a clinician will respond in person to help prevent hospitalization or incarceration,” Allen said. “We also have clinicians embedded in Kent County schools to support students with behavioral health challenges and provide teachers with education on how to best work with them.”

Parks said Rhode Islanders interested in strengthening prevention strategies can turn to national organizations for training, including the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals and the U.S. Secret Service’s National Threat Assessment Center.