A program for increasing early identification and prevention of mental health problems in infancy

Dealing with mental health in infancy as a specific clinical modality is relatively recent.¹ Preventive programs during infancy were mainly directed to promote cognitive development. Indeed, the review on prevention by Murphy and Frank² indicated that there are scarcely any programs directed specifically to improve mental health in infancy. This paper will describe a preventive program, conducted by the author, aimed specifically towards mental health aspects in infancy. It began in child guidance services in Jerusalem in 1977.