PSYCHIATRIC INTERVENTIONS FOR PREVENTION OF MENTAL-DISORDERS - A PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVE

Technology for psychiatric prevention is poorly developed, and knowled ge about the causes of mental illness is difficult to apply to practic al preventive work. As it would take many years before the effects of primary preventive efforts would be visible, secondary and tertiary pr evention are essential to reducing the prevalence of mental illness. R ecent studies on reducing the negative health consequences of acute st ress seem to justify some optimism that psychosocially-oriented preven tion is possible. Experience with the preventive benefits of social su pport at times of crisis suggests that active social support can preve nt social disintegration at the community level and mental health prob lems for individuals.