On Parents Who Are Supported and Valued By Society: They give rise to mentally healthy children

When parents are supported and valued by society, they are able to be fully present with their children, in turn helping to grow healthy brains. Children who grow up in an attuned caregiving environment are flexible, resilient, and empathic. In contrast, when children experience toxic stress, or stress in the absence of a safe, secure caregiving relationship, the parts of their brains responsible for emotional regulation do not develop normally. What results are symptoms that are then labeled "mental illness."

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/childinmind/2013/05/to_cdc_on_childrens_mental_hea_2.html

So often mental illness has its basis in early childhood experiences. The opposite is also true -- mental health has its basis in early childhood experiences. -gw