Prevention of mental disorders and promotion of competence

This chapter covers prevention of mental disorders and promotion of social and emotional competence in children by focusing on universal and selective prevention. Research primarily in high-income countries demonstrates that major mental health problems (conduct problems, depression, anxiety, and response to traumatic events) can be reduced through population level preventive interventions and programs that selectively intervene with children already at risk due to early behavioral risk and experience/context. The expansion and broad use of prevention in mental health and educational systems will require changes in policy and practice as well as further demonstrations of cost-effectiveness. The chapter concludes with recommendations to deal with global challenges faced by research and practice in implementing effective preventive interventions.