Some cases of depression, attention deficit disorder and autism can be prevented, says Savannah clinical psychologist Helene Suh.

If anyone has the energy to take on such a job, Suh does.

Her goal is to start a Family Enrichment Program to encourage wellness — spiritual, physical and emotional — for families.

That’s fancy psych speak for getting mom, dad and the kids together for nutritious food and talks that Suh hopes will prevent disorders in children.

“We want to nourish families so they come away saying ‘I don’t feel so alone,’’’ said Suh, 45. “There is such depression and anxiety and suffering in our culture right now. Much of which goes unnoticed.’’

Suh’s project pairs science with social work. She’s a pro at such unlikely duos. After all, she’s a psychologist married to a neurosurgeon for 19 years. Dan Suh practices at the Neurological Institute of Savannah.

Bookshelves in their Ardsley Park home reflect the couple’s divergent interests: “Rebuilding Our Families’’ sits near “Confessions of a Knife.’’ The dichotomy makes Suh smile inside her home office as she talks energetically about her dream.

Her daughter’s friend nicknamed Suh’s future program the “happy family house.’’

That’s precisely Suh’s aim in hosting meal nights at schools, at the cost of $10 for family member, with parent workshops.

Suh plans to start the gatherings in September and already ran a pilot program at her church, Lutheran Church of the Ascension.

Her intent is to someday have a family center complete with a lending library and playroom, Suh said, “so we can go back to some kind of community.’’

Lack of family time is what Suh called one of the toxic effects on the well-being of children.

Inadequate nutrition, sedentary lifestyles and excessive passive entertainment also contribute to the increase in disorders like depression and ADD, Suh believes.

Family dinner nights will get kids away from TV and video games to play with others, while their parents get savvy on different topics.

Parents are on a treadmill, ferrying children to activities, working 60-plus hours a week and trying to keep a Martha Stewart home. They forget to breathe and enjoy, Suh said.

Family time ranks high at the Suh house, jokingly called the “Suh Zoo” because of their three rescued dogs and five cats.

Suh’s daughters, ages 12 and 8, both students at St. Andrew’s School, don’t have TVs in their rooms. Instead, a third-floor playroom is dedicated to creative play with dress-up clothes and pretend kitchens.

Suh doesn’t ban soda, candy or even TV. Forbidden fruits only increase children’s interest. Instead, the girls ask to watch TV. Suh tries to view it with them and discuss what they’re seeing.

Healthy food and more family time won’t eliminate all cases of depression or other disorders in children, Suh realizes. It’s certainly not that simple.

“So many have multi-causes including genetics,’’ she said, “but we can reduce the high incidence of a lot of this.’’