As efforts to develop a more unified national mental health policy continue, a public health framework within which to examine this process is necessary. This uniquely multidisciplinary work integrates knowledge derived from epidemiologic, treatment, and service systems research to develop such a framework. It provides the basic critical elements for understanding the organization, financing and delivery of mental health services. The text also addresses the delivery of mental health services to individuals from ethnic and racial minorities and discusses the role of consumers and advocates in mental health service systems. In addition, it examines epidemiologic, treatment, and service-delivery issues in three undeserved at-risk populations: children and adolescents, the elderly and adult substance abusers. Written by national experts in the field, this timely work will provide policymakers, administrators, graduate students, and service providers with the knowledge base needed to implement improvements and changes in mental health service systems.