Case registers have long been a tool for administration and for epidemiologic research in tuberculosis, rheumatic fever, venereal disease, and cancer. Their use as a research tool in mental illness is relatively new. Mental disorders pose problems of definition and classification that are different from problems faced in other disorders; except for the organic disorders and suicide, associated death is less common than with some other illnesses, and the impact of mental illness on the individual and the community is unique. Many problems arise, therefore, in the establishment of psychiatric case registers which require new solutions and sophisticated methodology. But the yield to the psychiatrist, program planner and other interested persons in terms of new knowledge in this field may be immeasurable.The comments of psychiatrists and other professional persons on this new program are invited.Abstract Teaser