As a result of child observation, the practice of which emerged from Freud's theory of psychoanalysis, mental health workers have been able to focus not only on the detection of childhood mental illness, but also on the prevention of it. Using the issue of separation from the mother as an example, Mohacsy shows how our knowledge

in this area has led to the early detection of problems and the formulation of enlightened social policy. A number of examples of prevention are briefly mentioned, such as the training of pediatricians, parenting groups, school consultation, and liaison psychiatry on the pediatric ward.