Why Mental Health and Neurodivergence Should Not Be Used to Explain Incel Violence

Why Mental Health and Neurodivergence Should Not Be Used to Explain Incel Violence

In recent years, incidents of violence by ‘involuntary celibates’ (incels) have raised questions about the risks and worldview of those who espouse incel beliefs. The Canadian Parliament standing committee explored the connections of incel violence to threats of extremism in 2022.

Some recent studies have adopted a public health framing, identifying incels as vulnerable people in need of mental health and social support. However, mental health and neurodivergence should not be characterized as drivers of incel violence. Such interpretations can stigmatize neurodivergence and also minimize incels’ accountability for acts of violence.

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Are incels vulnerable individuals demonstrative of a public health crisis? Or a collective movement that poses a threat of gender-based violence and terrorism?

Who Are Incels?

Incels are individuals who ascribe their lack of sexual intimacy with women as a form of undue oppression. They form a misogynistic community largely comprised of men, who are angered by the denial of their “right” to sex with women. These beliefs are channeled into the promotion of violence against women.

In Canada, two major incidents of violence, which have drawn attention to the incel movement, occurred in recent years.

Mental Health, Neurodivergence, and Gender-Based Violence

The public debate and interest in incels is connected to broader discussions on mental health and its relation to gender-based violence and organized ideological violence.

A recent study from the United Kingdom evaluated how harm can be predicted among incel populations, exploring the role of mental health, autism, ideology, and social networks. The report presents the largest survey of self-identified incels to date, including 561 individuals who are residents of the U.K. or United States and over the age of 18.

While the report warns against drawing causality between autism and terrorism, a focus on this finding could contribute to a stigmatizing claim that incels have a higher rate and likelihood of being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Some news media have cited the report, emphasizing that incels are 30 times more likely to be autistic than the general population. Although the original report offers rich data on incel populations, its findings may be misused to reinforce harmful narratives against people with autism.

Many people with autism see it as an integral and positive part of their identities, rather than an illness to be cured. Casting autism as a mental disorder that leads to violence reinforces ableist narratives about autistic individuals as more likely to commit crimes when they are generally more likely to be victims than perpetrators of crime.

A Balancing Act

How can we balance sympathy towards individuals battling mental health challenges while also holding violent actors accountable?

Mental health resources for individuals in incel spaces are crucial to prevent violence. One study indicated that social isolation can exacerbate negative feelings that lead individuals to join incel communities seeking a sense of belonging.

The U.K. study rightly concludes that interventions addressing the incel community’s mental health require an effective harm reduction strategy. However, drivers of poor mental health must be evaluated beyond individual-level factors such as autism or mental health diagnoses.

We must also examine systemic factors for adverse mental health among those driven to join the incel community, such as the role of technology and the internet in facilitating radicalization and lack of social support programs for people in vulnerable situations.

Conclusion

Addressing incel violence requires a more fluid and collaborative understanding of public health and counter-terrorism approaches to dealing with the issue. Greater attention must be paid to balancing accountability for violence and sympathy towards people who need mental health support.

If you are experiencing challenges with your mental health and well-being, we encourage you to seek help and resources. You may refer to this repository of mental health services around the world.

FAQs

Q: What is the connection between incel violence and mental health?
A: Incel violence is a complex issue that cannot be solely attributed to mental health. While mental health support is crucial, it is essential to examine systemic factors and the role of technology in facilitating radicalization.

Q: Is there a link between autism and incel violence?
A: The report found that 30% of surveyed incels met clinical requirements for referrals for autism assessment, but not explicitly a diagnosis. However, this finding should not be used to stigmatize people with autism.

Q: What is the role of neurodivergence in incel violence?
A: Neurodivergence should not be characterized as a driver of incel violence. Such interpretations can stigmatize neurodivergence and also minimize incels’ accountability for acts of violence.

Q: How can we address incel violence?
A: Addressing incel violence requires a more fluid and collaborative understanding of public health and counter-terrorism approaches to dealing with the issue. Greater attention must be paid to balancing accountability for violence and sympathy towards people who need mental health support.