Behaviours and Consequences

I want to speak candidly about a controversial topic that spans across all of society.
Being able to comprehend the reasons behind a person's actions should not excuse those actions. Someone's background, upbringing, challenging circumstances, illness, struggles, etc... all contribute to who a person is and what kind of life he/she may lead, but having a difficult life does not warrant violent or malicious behaviour. It should all be taken into account, but if a crime is committed, the crime is not excused because that person was also a victim.

On the topic of mental illness, more treatments need to be readily available. The signs and symptoms of mental illness, in a perfect world, should be recognized early so that people can get treatment. If someone with a severe mental illness commits a crime - violent or nonviolent - I don't necessarily believe that he/she should be completely excused from all wrongdoing because of that illness. As with all things, there are extenuating circumstances, but there are certain crimes that should not be excused without overwhelming evidence that there was absolutely zero conscious understanding.
If a person, for example, suffers from bipolar disorder, and during a severe episode, rapes someone. I believe that that person deserves two things:
1. Treatment for his/her illness.
2. Consequences for the act he/she has committed.

If a person has been abused and raped his/her entire life, and then becomes a person who is domestically abusive, that person also deserves two things:
1. Treatment for his/her mental state that has been affected by a terrible childhood, and
2. Consequences for the abuse that he/she participated in.

If a child grows up involved in gangs and seeing their friends and family participate in murders, shootings, stabbings, or being victims of such acts, and then this child grows up and stabs another person, he/she also deserves the same two things.

If someone suffers from severe anxiety and manic depression, has been lost through the system, has gone through foster care, has had to overcome tougher situations than most people ever will, and has been without treatment for his/her entire life, but grows up and becomes a pathological liar who cheats on his/her spouse, who is a thief, who is cruel to every person around him/her, that person still deserves to suffer consequences of these actions.

If an addict is on a substance that affects his/her mental state, then that person commits a crime, that person also deserves the same two things. That person deserves treatment, but should also be held accountable for his/her actions.

It is VITAL that mental illness, addiction, and the struggles of a difficult childhood, are all recognized, acknowledged, and treated. Each person deserves treatment and deserves a chance at life. With that said, none of this excuses a person's behaviour. Just as if someone is blackout intoxicated with alcohol, his/her actions are not excusable if a crime is committed, so should be the mindset regarding anything else that alters the mental state in a similar manner.

There are always extenuating circumstances. That is why we have juries and laws and judges. Crimes have punishments for a reason, and there are very few cases where a person should excused from their actions.
I do not want to see mental illness, addiction, depression, or other struggles becoming a scapegoat for despicable behaviour.

My humble opinion.