Preventive psychiatry from public health perspectives

Abstract

The focus in public health has been shifted to noncommunicable diseases (NCD) in last decade. Mental health is gaining momentum as fifth NCD. The concept of prevention in psychiatry is new, but an interesting area from public health perspectives. The concepts of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention relevant to psychiatry are discussed. Among primary prevention interventions, universal, selective, and indicated prevention strategies in psychiatry are discussed with examples from published literature. Challenges in preventive psychiatric practice on issue of payments, available standard of evidence, and best health-care professionals for its delivery are also discussed. There is a need to focus on preventive psychiatric interventions, especially in developing countries.

Keywords

• Mental health
• prevention
• psychiatry
• public health