The main trends and amendments in the psychiatry and mental health care system as well as the psychiatry niche in the general public health service are presented and discussed in the article. By way of the EU countries example, the worldwide accumulated experience, obstacles and achievements in the psychiatry reforming are discussed. The key role of the primary care system in revealing and managing various forms of mental disorders is demonstrated. The recent situation in the Republic of Belarus, the main goals and directions of reforming the mental health care system in the country are being discussed, too.