A profile of the follow up of the rural mentally ill.

108 Psychotic and 268 epileptic patients were followed up for 3½ years as a part of an ongoing rural mental health care programme. Some of the observed situations, possible limitations and reasons for the evolved follow up pattern in this endeavour of non-institutional, family centred and community oriented treatment programme, are reported. The strategies to improve the follow up rate among the rural patients are discussed.