We have here a book of 32 chapters, plus a final epilogue, which is divided into four parts. The first part, containing some of the best chapters in the book, covers the concepts and themes of primary care mental health from an international perspective and the standpoints of policy, sociology, epidemiology and the service user. The second part is the longest, with 16 chapters on the broad diagnoses of particular patient groups. Part 3 revisits policy and practice, looking at the delivery of care and treatment and covering mental health promotion. The final part, ‘Reflexive practice’, provides a welcome approach to clinical practice, teaching, learning and research and, importantly, addresses the mental health of the practitioner.

There are several excellent chapters in this book which overall makes a first-class attempt to explore the many facets of primary care and its relationship to mental disorder and mental health. Professor Sartorius' contribution to the first section sets the scene by providing an interesting look at the background to the formal definition of primary healthcare, as well as debunking some of the myths of primary care while illuminating its complexities, limitations and ultimate value.

The book is ambitious in its breadth and inevitably focuses much on practice relating to the UK context. It could be seen as two books in one, the second part being the second book. If I have a gripe it is that I would have liked to have seen some of the chapters in the first part developed more to illuminate the exciting conceptual issues raised (for example, the nature of mental health problems and their relation to diagnosis and to population statistics). But that is my preoccupation and I would not let that put the reader off, considering this to be essential reading for trainees and others within the fields of psychiatry, general practice and beyond.