Young men who are members of street gangs are more likely to have psychiatric illnesses and access mental health services, according to new research from the UK published online in the July 12th issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Lead author Professor Jeremy Coid, Director of the Forensic Psychiatry Research Unit at Queen Mary, University of London, says in a statement this is the first time researchers have investigated a possible link between gang violence and psychiatric illness, apart from substance misuse and the burden it places on mental health services.
"Here we have shown unprecedented levels among this group, identifying a complex public health problem at the intersection of violence, substance misuse, and mental health problems among young men," says Coid.
Inner-city areas tend to have higher levels of crime and social problems.
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Source material from Medical News Today