We have described the origins, principles, and provisions of an attempt to establish a comprehensive community mental health program for an entire state. Widespread citizen readiness for coordinated and integrated planning of mental health services has been demonstrated, as has local and state government willingness to finance large-scale programs. This has focussed attention on the need for developing methods of evaluating the effectiveness of services and for more research especially into the causes of mental illness. The need for training of professional personnel is stressed; the demand greatly exceeds supply, and teaching centers give little training in community oriented psychiatry.Abstract Teaser