Preface Mental disorders cause an enormous burden on affected individuals, their families, and society.
Cures are rare.
Therefore, the logic of trying to prevent the occurrence of mental disorders is clear. Yet, in sharp contrast to the situation in the physical diseases, efforts to prevent mental disorders have had low priority. The Committee appointed by the IOM to carry out this task provided the diversity, the wide view, and the expert knowledge that this field demands. The Committee's process was a multipronged effort. It involved extensive review of a literature that is large in volume but limited in rigorous evaluation of interventions.