Mentally ill people don't pose extra risk to society

Indeed, incidents like the one in Changsha will spread panic among the people. But is there any evidence to show that people with mental health problems cause more harm to others than normal people? If we take into consideration incidents such as violation of traffic rules and road accidents, and breaking of food and drug safety norms, people with developmental disability cause less damage to society than normal people.

Although proper research may not be able to erase the impact of such incidents from people's minds, it could help them treat such cases rationally.

There are many reasons why people with mental health problems attack others-with the lack of proper social service being an important one. Despite's the government's help, many people with mental health problems and their families live isolated lives without any social support because of the stigma attached to mental illness. This puts mentally ill people under a lot of stress and could result in their getting violent.

Indefinite detention of all people with mental illness is not the right way to reduce violent incidents. Instead, aside from timely treatment, more social services should be provided for mentally ill patients in order to improve their mental condition.

In addition, according to the existing law, the parents of a mentally ill person have to pay the financial compensation for any serious offense their child commits. But since the parents or guardians of many people with developmental disability cannot pay the compensation amount because of their poor financial condition, the government and society should set up a compensation fund for victims and their families.

Qu Xiangfei, a researcher at the Institute of Law, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.