AN OVERVIEW OF EXISTING APPROACHES TO THE PREVENTION OF MENTAL DISORDER IS PROVIDED. THE CHILD-CENTERED PROGRAMS DISCUSSED HERE INCLUDE THOSE--(1) WHICH REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF PRE-NATAL AND PERINATAL CASUALTY, (2) WHICH TREAT CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL DEFECTS, (3) WHICH ARE ORIENTED TOWARD THE CHILD-PARENT RELATIONSHIP, (4) WHICH ARE ORIENTED TOWARD HAZARDOUS EVENTS IN CHILDHOOD, AND (5) WHICH ARE ORIENTED TOWARD THE CHILD IN SCHOOL. THE FAMILY-CENTERED PREVENTION PROGRAMS DESCRIBED ARE ORIENTED TOWARD INTACT FAMILIES, FAMILIES IN CRISIS, CULTURALLY DEPRIVED FAMILIES, AND DISORGANIZED FAMILIES. SOCIETY-CENTERED PREVENTION PROGRAMS INCLUDE MENTAL HEALTH PLANNING PROJECTS, PROGRAMS RELATED TO ORGANIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES, THE SCHOOL ROLE, AND SOCIAL ACTION APPROACHES. REFERENCES DEALING WITH, AND DESCRIBING, THE VARIOUS APPROACHES ARE INCLUDED. THIS ARTICLE IS A REPRINT FROM THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY, VOLUME 123, NUMBER 9, MARCH 1967, PP. 1058-1068. (PS)