[Mental health and mental hygiene between two millenniums].

A century has passed since Klifford Beers published his work "A mind that found Itself". This paper has inspired the shift of mental hygiene towards the prevention of mental disorders and health improvements. At the beginning of this millenium, with much improved scientific knowledge, experience and possibilities, but confronted with new challenges we are observing the tempestuous historical features which have influenced the development of mental health care. Mental health is crucial for the welfare of a society and its individuals, since such disorders are not only the cause of emotional suffering, but they also deteriorate the quality of life, cause alienation and discrimination of an individual. At the same time, they are a great economic burden to the society as they require long-term therapy and often result in poor productivity. In order to decrease the burden of mental disorders it is required to stimulate prevention and improvement of mental health of the population within the framework of national policies, legislation and financing.