Thirty years after the Alma Ata Declaration on primary health care was adopted, its key principles remain fundamental building blocks for improved global health. The first principle of the Declaration reaffirms the Constitution of the World Health Organization (WHO): health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Echoing the importance of primary care, the WHO World Health Report 2008 argues that a renewal and reinvigoration of primary care is important now, more than ever... As this report will show, treating mental disorders as early as possible, holistically and close to the person’s home and community lead to the best health outcomes. In addition, primary care offers unparalleled opportunities for the prevention of mental disorders and mental health promotion, for family and community education, and for collaboration with other sectors. [Ed.] [Contents] : Part 1: Primary care for mental health in context : Chapter 1: Primary care for mental health within a pyramid of health care. - Chapter 2: Seven good reasons for integrating mental health into primary care. - Part 2: Primary care for mental health in practice: Introduction : Argentina: Physician-led primary care for mental health in Neuquén province, Patagonia region ; Australia: Integrated mental health care for older people in general practices of inner-city Sydney ; Belize: Nationwide district-based mental health care ; Brazil: Integrated primary care for mental health in the city of Sobra ; Chile: Integrated primary care for mental health in the Macul district of Santiago ; India: Integrated primary care for mental health in the Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala State Islamic Republic of Iran: Nationwide integration of mental health into primary care ; Saudi Arabia: Integrated primary care for mental health in the Eastern Province ; South Africa: Integrated primary care services and a partnership for mental health primary care-Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga Province, and Moorreesburg District, Western Cape Province ; Uganda: Integrated primary care for mental health in the Sembabule District ; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Primary care for mental health for disadvantaged communities in London. - Report conclusions. Annex 1: Improving the practice of primary care for mental health