A Delphi technique was used to determine priorities for mental health prevention in Geneva. The study comprised two rounds of postal questionnaires targeted at 58 participants concerned and/or interested by mental health through their association or their work. From the responses given in the first round mental health problems were listed, essentially health problems (65%) and service problems (11%) and less frequently resources problems (< 1%). Consensus produced in the second round indicated that 3 problems were priorities for the development of preventive measures: depression, alcohol abuse, maltraitance and sexual abuse. Using the Delphi technique, a qualitative method corresponding to a subjective consensus issued from a group of experts, priorities for mental health prevention were identified in Geneva, in 1995.