Psychoanalysis and public health appear to have an important but uneasy and rarely discussed relationship. Both fields have made significant contributions to mental health, despite major differences in their concepts and methods. Although controversies exist, we suggest that there are important areas of overlap and potential integration, with benefit to both fields and the understanding of human development and mental health.

In order to explore these issues, we will first examine some of the early connections between psychoanalysis and public health. Next, we will focus on various assets and liabilities of each field. Third, we will look at one example of this integration, namely, physical punishment and violence. Finally, we will explore the question of resistance to social activism in the two fields.