NAMI supports prevention. https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Publ...Mental-Illness

It's such a complex issue. Difficult to compare growing up with severe abuse in a middle class family vs growing up with severe abuse with all the cards stacked against you-poor, no access to therapy or medications, mentored by gangs, mother addicted to crack, violence all around you, uneducated parents, etc. It's not an excuse, but environment does have an impact.

I have a good deal of trauma in my history. I've also had accomplishments despite adversity. As a teen mom, I still managed to get college degrees. I didn't have help from parents or child care subsidies or financial assistance, as it was nonexistent back then. I worked 40 hours just on the weekend, then later 2 jobs, to put myself through school. The danger lies in the thinking--I got by with no safety net and did X, therefore, everyone else can do the same; so let's eliminate social programs....

Anyone of us could have been in the jail had we been born in the shoes of the jailee. For example, I was born with dissociative defenses that served as a response to trauma. Another person could respond to my trauma with aggression. I don't think moral goodness or righteousness explains it, in all honesty.

Also-not referring to anyone here in this thread, but often an abusive person will claim to be abused; when in fact, they are the ones being the most abusive. Or both play a role. I see it in some of the blog posts here.