Muscogee Sheriff Links Mental Health Crisis to Rising Gang Violence

By Janell Williams

Increasing gang violence in Columbus, is believed to be connected to underlying mental health challenges, according to local law enforcement. Untreated mental health issues, compounded by socioeconomic challenges, often leave individuals vulnerable to recruitment by gangs, said Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman.

"Mental health challenges are a driving factor in why many young people are turning to gangs," Countryman said. "We see kids who are traumatized, struggling and seeking a sense of belonging."

Dr. Tina Bedell, a licensed therapist in Columbus, echoed this concern, noting that untreated trauma can push young people toward gangs as a way to cope.

"When you have untreated mental illnesses that person is more likely to engage in criminal activity, especially if they experience psychosis," Bedell said.

Gang violence in Columbus, has been a persistent issue, affecting neighborhoods with incidents tied to drug activity, territorial disputes, and youth recruitment. It poses a threat to community safety, with families and schools often caught in the crossfire.

Law enforcement and community leaders have worked on initiatives to curb violence, but challenges remain due to underlying factors like poverty, limited youth opportunities and unresolved trauma. Yet, addressing these root causes is critical to reducing gang influence and making the community safer. 

According to Bedell, addressing trauma early can reduce the likelihood of youth joining gangs. 

"We have to destigmatize what mental health actually is. We have to have open conversations in families, churches and other social circles to challenge the idea that therapy is (only) for weak and crazy people," Bedell said. "Because for a long time, particularly the black community, those types of services were used against us in terms of us being labeled. So I think we have to change the narrative about what therapy actually is, and how it is, to strengthen us."

Community leaders agree that a multifaceted approach, including counseling and mentorship, is crucial.

"One of our biggest issues is lack of opportunity," Countryman said. "If we (Columbus Sheriffs Department and the Columbus community) can work together, we can actually find out the consistency with mental health issues leading into larger things, like gangs."

He explained the need for initiatives aimed at increasing mental health services and community outreach programs, highlighting their importance in reducing crime rates.  

"We currently do have a mental health component within our county jail facility where we have a contract medical provider, but that is for our adult population," Countryman said. "We also created the position of Mental Health Director that could give them that additional help that they need. This person would make sure that even when they get out of the system, they can still communicate with that inside director."

Bedell emphasized the need for proactive community-based programs rather than reactive ones within the criminal justice system.

"A lot of times, people with mental illness may do things that end up getting them sent to prison or jail, and they don't get the level of care that they need because they're only seen as criminals," Bedell said. "I have worked in a halfway house before in behavioral health and most of the patients I met with enjoyed prison because they said it made them better criminals. When you have factors like solitary confinement and that isolation, they wouldn't have the care they need. It would just make them worse criminals. It would make them more paranoid or more depressed."

The sheriff also called for broader collaboration.

"It's a community effort. Addressing mental health is just as important as our law enforcement strategies in keeping our neighborhoods safe," he said.