Person-centered approaches to primary prevention in mental health: situation-focused and competence-enhancement.

This article considers two families of person-centered approaches to primary prevention in mental health, i.e., situation-focused and competence-enhancement. Rationales and examples of effective programs are presented for both clusters. Similarities and differences between the two approaches are considered as are their special advantages and limitations. Although the approaches differ somewhat in terms of their conceptual footings, prime methodologies, natural target groups, and in the timing of their applications, they share the same ultimate goal, i.e., strengthening the psychological wellness of the population at large. In that sense, they complement system-level primary prevention approaches based on social change.