Childhood is an important time to prevent mental disorders and to
promote mental health. As noted in the Children's Mental Health Risk
Factors, childhood disorders are often the genesis for adult mental
disorders. The field of prevention focuses on reduction of risk, prevention
of onset, and early intervention. Various research is recognizing that
prevention does work. Prevention programs that work with parents to
develop better parenting skills, interpersonal problem solving skills,
psycho-education, and psychosocial skill programs are examples of activities
that work to reduce antisocial behavior in children.
Certain primary care measures are effective in preventing illnesses
that can lead to mental disorders. For example, vaccination against
measles prevents neurobehavioral complications; safe sex practices
and maternal screening prevent newborn infections such as syphilis
and HIV, which also have neurobehavioral manifestations; and reducing
alcohol use during pregnancy helps prevent fetal alcohol syndrome.
All of these conditions may produce mental disorders in children (USDHHS,
1999).
