Community attitudes about mental health services

Community attitudes toward a new mental health center were surveyed by calling 110 randomly selected residences. Drugs and alcohol were seen as the community's most pressing social problem. Respondents were favorable to mental health centers and public funding and had accurate information about many aspects of mental health problems, although misinformation about types of services, professional staffing, and length of treatment was present. The favorable community altitude is seen as providing a base for increased public education in areas of misinformation and more consultation and preventive programs in areas of community concern.