Primary prevention of psychiatric disorders.

After a general discussion of factors involved in primary prevention of mental disorders, a case is described where community intervention aiming at reversing a process of social disintegration seemed to reduce the prevalence of anxiety and depression. Further experience with community development as an activity integrated into the functioning of a mental health centre is described. It was possible to encourage the growth of social networks that in turn led to several sustained organizations for self help and mutual aid. Even if this is promising from a preventive point of view, the effect upon mental health is not known. Repeated epidemiological studies in the area show a very stable prevalence level over time with high degree of chronicity and few new cases. This means that change in prevalence over a limited period of time only to a very small degree can be caused by primary prevention.