A developmental view of the comprehensive community mental health concept.

Apprehension and doubt about the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Center (CCMHC) service programs are felt by both mental health professionals and local and state government officials who have yet to see the comprehensive center operate independent of Federal financial support and consistent with the concept of total service. Critics and pessimists must recognize that the CCMHC must initially establish and maintain itself amid a network of local social and rehabilitation agencies before the goals spelled out as essential elements of service can be achieved. It is suggested that there are critical factors that affect the evolvement from Phase 1, in which the CCMHC directs attention to its own survival, to Phase 2, when the CCMHC can begin to deal effectively with the local problems of mental health.