The uses and misuses of data in assessing mental health needs

Relatively little attention has been directed to the need-assessment procedures stipulated by the 1964 Federal Regulations for the Community Mental Health Centers Act. This paper considers the implications of the assumptions contained in these procedures and their significance for planners. It is concluded that in spite of inherent theoretical difficulties and methodological limitations the Federal Regulations ultimately will considerably broaden the planners' definition of community need. He was formerly Director of Research for the Massachusetts Mental Health Planning Project.