I also think there is a wisdom and strength in that generation [of our parents], in terms of getting through difficult times, and there is a stoicism in the face of challenges that I greatly admire.

I think everyone understands when these cycles are disrupted, especially in terms of institutionalized poverty, it's always will be difficult - patterns are put into place, and certain behaviors keep getting repeated.

Through what I have witnessed and documented, with proper interventions you can break those cycles. When I made the first film on this subject, 'Paper Tigers,' kids were going off the cliff. But then there was intervention, and they won't go off the cliff.

I'm in full support of that technique [meditation] , and what David Lynch is doing. It's very important.

In middle age I've begun to embrace stress reducing behaviors. Just in doing yoga, for example, my health has improved dramatically.

It doesn't take billions of dollars or complex medical technologies, and there doesn't have to be a dramatic upending to the current order. It's trying to change the mindset of people who deal with youth to have less judgement and more curiosity. That's asking a lot, emotionally it's asking people to step up and engage more. But what I often heard was that is easier for them to engage emotionally, than to just be angry and judgmental.

Many people have overcome that home situation simply by having at least one caring adult, whether a teacher, mentor or religious leader.