Prevention of Mental Disorders: Conceptual Framework and Classification

One person in four will develop one or more of mental disorders during their lifetime. Five of the ten leading causes of disability and premature death worldwide are psychiatric conditions. Mental disorders represent not only an immense psychological, social and economic burden to society, but also increase the risk of physical illnesses.Prevention in mental health has a history of over 100 years. Over the past 25 years the multidisciplinary field of prevention science in mental health has developed at a rapid pace, facilitated by increasing knowledge on malleable risk and protective factors. Prevention needs to be a multipronged effort because of mental disorders have multiple determinants. Biological, psychological, social and societal risk and protective factors and their interactions have been identified across the lifespan from as early as fetal life. Many of these factors are malleable and therefore potential targets for prevention and promotion measures. The aim of this article was to consider the conceptual framework of prevention of mental disorders and evaluate the studies concerning the classification of such approaches.