Mental health care by a family oriented general practice team

The mental health aspects of integrated comprehensive family care at a neighbourhood health centre in an underprivileged community include: (1) mental health promotion in high risk groups, (2) early intervention at stressful periods of the family cycle, including physical disease and reaching out to identify unfelt needs, (3) direct aid to patient and family through prevention, restoration or maintenance, depending on patient potential, and (4) attempts to isolate the patient's condition, at worst, and prevent harmful effects on the family environment. The medical team physician, medical worker and public health nurse achieved successful management of psychiatric problems through dynamic role division among its members with planned intervention of different modes and at various levels.