This is the first of a series of ten monographs published by the Joint Commission on Mental Illness and Health which is working toward the establishment of a Mental Health Program. Dr. Jahoda was given the task of making a review of the pertinent literature 'for the purpose of evaluating the theoretical, experimental, and empirical evidence of the psychological nature of mental health'. To define the meaning of mental health, the author has collected 'ideas' of various schools and many authors who, with different methodological approaches, have tried to define the vague concept of mental health. These concepts are discussed from the aspect of their usefulness for 'positive mental health'.

A few examples out of the multitude should be mentioned. The