President Donald Trump said Monday the recent mass shooting in Texas was the result of an individual with "a mental health problem"—a comment that prompted a scolding from American Psychological Association, which noted most people with mental illness are not violent.

A gunman killed 26 people in a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, on Sunday before killing himself. The incident was the second high-profile mass shooting in recent months, with another gunman killing 58 people in Las Vegas in October.

Responding to news of Sunday's shooting, Trump said "this isn't a guns situation."

"This is a mental health problem at the highest level. It's a very, very sad event," he said, as reported by CNN.

Trump's comments did not go over well with APA. In a statement, association President Antonio Puente said placing the blame on mental illness distracts from finding real solutions to gun violence.

"The vast majority of people with mental illness are not violent," he said. "A complex combination of risk factors, including a history of domestic violence, violent misdemeanor crimes and substance use disorders, increases the likelihood of people using a firearm against themselves or others."

Prohibitions on firearms ownership among certain high-risk groups have been shown the reduce gun violence, Puente said. He called for more research into the topic. (Federal dollars currently cannot be used to research gun violence.)

"Calling this shooting a ‘mental health problem' distracts our nation's leaders from developing policies and legislation that would focus on preventing gun violence through a scientific, public health approach," he said. http://bit.ly/2hcw9Ud

MORE CEO DATELINE

• More groups register concerns and praise for GOP tax overhaul
• Report: GOP tax plan may impact some association dues
• EPA chief's appearance at American Chemistry Council event raises eyebrows
• Association CEOs meet with Trump to talk tax policy
• Health care association sued for alleged antitrust violations