title: [Primary prevention in mental health programs. Possible or impossible? Now or later?].
abstract: The point in discussion is: Does any possibility exist of having primary prevention actions included in mental health plans and programs of the countries pertaining to the Latin-American and Caribbean region? On the one hand, such actions are becoming more and more necessary if the higher mental health demands are taken into account--which exceed the offer of services at a secondary preventive level. On the other hand, recent literature has been accumulating scientific evidence bringing rational basis for interventions at a primary preventive level. Mental health workers--if adequately trained--may find a fruitful field for action in assistance and research as well.
authors.affiliation: Programa Promoción de la Salud, OPS, Washington, DC 20037.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Levav
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D014944:World Health Organization
vernacular_title: Prevención primaria en los programas de salud mental posible o imposible? Ahora o luego?