By E.L. Alexander

Many people who I meet have suffered abuse and trauma from their families of origin. The origins are sometimes because of substance abuse by a parent, or by a culture of abuse propagated by dysfunctional cultural values that diminish personal feelings, and attitudes that are healthy, in reality.

Mental health is not valued in this country. It is also not observed or valued in countries of deprivation, war, or poverty. Mere survival in times of disasters or war can lead to many types of extremely dysfunctional actions, reprehensible behavior and a devaluation of individual creation, intellectual development, and mental growth. I have read about women squelching the cries of a newborn to hide from Nazi soldiers. I was shocked when I saw films about Jews in extermination camps—who hurt one another just to grab that slice of bread. We can become like vicious animals when our lives and survival are threatened. It is unusual for someone to risk their own lives for someone else’s survival needs. This has been proven. It does happen, however, and those who do should be our leaders and who we model correct and beneficial governmental processes.