First, "mental illness" is an outdated term stemming from Dr. Freud's work as a physician. "Illness" is caused by germs and organic malfunctions. "Psychologically injured" is a less-biased term.
Yes, I think many people are unconsciously uncomfortable with such people, because their behavior may be hard to predict and understand. People who judge or try to "manipulate": psychologically-wounded people are probably unaware and injured themselves. More.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.