Violence and alienation: an issue of public mental health

This century has seen more extensive social and political change than ever before. Some, such as antibiotics, has been beneficial, but much has led to alienation and political and cultish ideologies. These in turn have spawned widespread violence. Not all violence is physical; some is inner-directed and can lead to suicide. Some is inspired by genuine idealism but too often this degenerates into cruelty excused as a struggle with alleged evil. Violence can be nation- or even continent-wide-Africa, Latin America, Middle East, Indochina, but also Europe including the former Soviet Union. It is also local, especially in inner cities throughout the world, linked to drugs but also as mindless vandalism. Solutions must be both at the macro level, through the UN and its agencies; the UN charter must be revised to allow appropriate intervention within national borders. At the local level, underlying causes such as human rights abuses and unemployment can be put right. Much more research is needed but action cannot await the findings. The author's recent personal experience in Osijek in former Yugoslavia shows that the most important factor is the people themselves, but outsiders can provide knowledge, resources and support.