Recognizing that favorable clinical outcomes are associated with earlier initiation of treatment -- and even more ideally with prevention -- this volume addresses the current status of early intervention in, and prevention of, major mental and substance use disorders. A team of distinguished participants addresses this problem at many levels -- from the DNA molecule to public policy -- in order to show how prevention efforts should be informed by a better understanding of etiology and by a knowledge of indicators of vulnerability.

In considering the current standing of etiological...