Lia Ahonen is assistant professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Ahonen is trained in Criminology and Psychology. Her research areas include youth and adult crime in combination with mental illness, predictors of violence and gun violence, the development of violent crime over time, the treatment of serious behavioral problems, and policy issues pertaining to crime and justice in different countries. Relatedly, she is knowledgeable about organizational development of and leadership in institutions dealing with delinquents' needs for services

Provides a comprehensive overview of the association between mental illness and violence, taking different populations into account, including both juveniles and adults and accounting for gender and racial difference

Describes the perception of mental illness and violence in science media, common practices, and research and practice needs

Discusses the relationship between mental illness and intrapersonal violence (suicide), and victimization of mentally ill individuals

Recommends steps for using this knowledge in policy-making, practice, and the development of effective crisis intervention initiatives to de-escalate violence