In the wake of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn. last week, most Americans say they want something done to prevent such tragedies—and most favor emphasizing mental health issues, according to a new Rasmussen poll.

Of 1,000 respondents in the telephone poll, 48 percent believe more action to treat mental health issues will do the most to prevent similar incidents. That's significantly higher than the percentage of Americans who think stricter gun control laws will do the most to prevent such shootings (27 percent). Another 15 percent put the emphasis on limits on violent movies and video games, while 10 percent are undecided.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about one in four American adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.

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