Both educational attainment and mental health are part of the whole development of the child. School psychologists are indispensable in the schools because they alone bridge the gap between learning and mental health. They become even more in demand when they demonstrate that they can leverage mental health through educational interventions, and can leverage educational progress through attention to children's mental health. Through prevention, both may be facilitated simultaneously. There are many model prevention programs with a good research basis which may be replicated and a good scientific basis for preventive practice. In order for psychologists to become preventionists they must: (1) become familiar with research-based models of the causes of the conditions they wish to prevent and have a clear notion of normal development; (2) obtain explicit training in prevention and mental health promotion; (3) be entrepreneurial and able to work with others to originate and maintain programs in the face of apathy and resistance; and (4) gain support for their role through social system sanction. The development of partnerships with others concerned with children and families encompasses all strategies that facilitate health development. (JBJ)