PREVENTIVE PSYCHIATRY—THE ARMY'S MENTAL HYGIENE CONSULTATION SERVICE (MHCS) PROGRAM WITH STATISTICAL EVALUATION

Abstract

1. The importance of outpatient psychiatric treatment, properly emphasized in World War I and again in World War II, required re-emphasis during the Korean conflict. 2. A Mental Hygiene Consultation Service Program—long required, but difficult to maintain in past periods of peace—has, subsequent to the Korean conflict, been maintained and expanded, and constitutes one of the major contributing elements of psychiatry in the army. 3. Expansion of the MHCS program has been accompanied by a reduction of incidence rates due to disabling psychiatric illness. Further study may some day allow us to demonstrate more clearly the benefits to those evaluated and treated in such a setting. 4. In time of peace, every effort must be expended to insure continuation of this preventive program.