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 dangers and worldview of those who espouse incel beliefs. In 2022, a standing committee of the Canadian Parliament investigated the links of incel violence to the threats of extremism.

Several recent studies have adopted a public health framework, identifying incels as vulnerable people in need of mental health and social support. Indeed, mental health support is essential to helping incels. However, mental health and neurodivergence should not be characterized as drivers of incel violence. Such interpretations may stigmatize neurodivergence and also minimize the responsibility of incels for acts of violence.

Are vulnerable individuals indicative 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 view the lack of sexual intimacy with women as a form of unjust oppression. They form a misogynist community made up mainly of men, who are outraged by the denial of their “right” to have sex with women. These beliefs are channeled into promoting violence against women.

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

In 2020, a 17-year-old stabbed a woman to death in a massage parlor in Toronto, in an incident that was declared in 2023 as Canada’s first act of terrorism.

In the 2018 Toronto van attack, Alek Minassian killed 10 people and another died more than three years later. He initially told police he was inspired by incels, but his trial later heard differing accounts of his motivations.

In his court case, Minassian’s lawyers argued that his diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder prevented him from making rational decisions and understanding that his actions were morally wrong. This use of autism as an argument to avoid criminal liability enraged autism advocacy groups and ultimately failed in court.

Mental health, neurodivergence and gender-based violence

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

Recently, a study from the United Kingdom assessed how harm can be predicted among incel populations, exploring the role of mental health, autism, ideology and social networks.

The report represents the largest survey of self-identified incels to date, including 561 individuals who are residents of the United Kingdom or the United States and over the age of 18. It found that more than a third of participants met criteria for moderate depression (39 percent) and anxiety (43 percent), along with high levels of loneliness and anger. Additionally, the report found that 30 percent of respondents met clinical referral requirements for autism evaluation, but not explicitly a diagnosis.

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

Several media have cited the report, noting that incels are 30 times more likely to be autistic than the general population. Although the original report provides rich data on incel populations, its findings can be misused to reinforce harmful narratives against people with autism. This can lead to stigmatizing and false claims that autistic people are predisposed to violence, radicalization or hateful ideologies because of their diagnosis.

Many people with autism see it as an integral and positive part of their identity, rather than a disease to be cured. Portraying 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.

A balancing act

How can we balance sympathy for individuals struggling with mental health challenges while also holding violent actors accountable?

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

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

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

The UK report argues that “incels need mental health support rather than a counter-terrorism intervention”. While mental health support is essential, adopting only a public health approach in place of a comprehensive public safety and counterterrorism perspective can be reductive.

It can characterize incels as lone wolves in a way that ignores the organized nature of the incel community in promoting violence. Further, it rejects ongoing efforts to understand how gendered forms of violence can support radical ideology classified as extremism or terrorism. Public health and counter-terrorism initiatives should not be seen as trade-offs, but work hand-in-hand to identify the threats of gender-based ideological extremism and work towards mental health approaches to de-radicalisation.

Addressing incel violence requires a more fluid and collaborative understanding of public health and counterterrorism approaches to dealing with the issue. Greater attention should be paid to balancing responsibility for violence and sympathy for 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 can refer to this repository of mental health services around the world.