Revolutionize Mental Health Care: Clinical Manual of Prevention in Mental Health

According to Dr. David Satcher, the 16th U.S. Surgeon General, there is a significant gap in our understanding of mental health care – we know much more about treating mental illnesses than preventing them. This is why the Clinical Manual of Prevention in Mental Health is a timely and vital resource, providing new and emerging research on the importance of prevention in mental health.

This comprehensive guide was conceived through discussions within the Prevention Committee of the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry (GAP), and features contributions from 30 highly respected clinicians and researchers who are experienced in the treatment and prevention of specific types of mental illnesses.

Preventing Mental Illnesses in Practice

The Clinical Manual of Prevention in Mental Health is designed to help mental health professionals move towards widespread adoption of mental illness prevention in their own practice settings. This important new reference provides practical suggestions and strategies to help you prevent, or implement preventive measures in the treatment of:

• Mood disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Schizophrenia
• Substance use disorders
• Suicidality
• Family violence
• Conduct disorder and other adolescent disorders
• Late-life depression, dementia, and mild cognitive impairment
• Physical illnesses in psychiatric settings
• Cigarette smoking

In contrast to other areas of medicine, our understanding of the prevention of mental illnesses remains in a relatively nascent state, especially in terms of how prevention can be incorporated into routine clinical practice. The authors of the various chapters have endeavored to balance reviewing the available research knowledge with providing guidance for practicing clinicians on how such knowledge can be incorporated into everyday practice.

Becoming Prevention-Minded in Mental Health Care

The Clinical Manual of Prevention in Mental Health urges clinicians everywhere to inquire about risk factors and protective factors in patients’ lives, in addition to focusing on the presenting problem. It is the authors’ intent to provide mental health professionals with the knowledge and practical applications necessary to be prevention-minded in all of their interactions with patients, families, and the community.

Publisher: American Psychiatric Publishing

Publication Date: October 13, 2009

Language: English

ISBN: 9781585623471, 9781585629237