Experience in primary mental health care.

The author discusses his experience as clinical director of a small mental health unit in a neighborhood health center. Deep-rooted organizational and administrative conflicts resulted in the clinical compromise of this unit's capacity to deliver needed services. Essentially, two recommendations are made to protect and foster the vitality of "primary mental health care." The first is to reduce the organizational complexity that engulfs centers such as the one described. The second is to recognize how vital the community boards of directors are to the quality of care received by patients. Board members must be provided with support and technical assistance by professional advisors and supporting agencies in order to carry out their essential missions.