Salud mental para la comunidad

Abstract

A community mental health program (PSMC) based on the integration of all mental health activities within a community public health program (PSC) is described. 

In reality it is unadvisable-and, in fact, impossible- to separate mental health activities from public health activities in geneal.If the broadest coverage of people requiring mental health services is to be attained, action by community leaders, and not only by physicians or health professionals, will be necessary. Actually, the majority of health programas in the country are implemented at the community level by teachers,sanitarians, and laymen. Therefore, these progrms should include courses in the fundamentals of mental health care and be directly aimed at community level through these teaching activities which will, in the long run, benefit the whole country's mental health.