title: Mental health care and treatment: will health planning make a difference?
abstract: The National Health Planning and Resources Development Act of 1974 establishes a five-tiered system for health planning that begins with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and reaches the local level through areawide health systems agencies. The author describes the implications of the law for mental health services, focusing particularly on its impact at the local level. He describes the functions of the health systems agencies, points out limitations in their authority, and emphasizes that cooperation of community organizations and agencies is essential if they are to be effective in improving health and mental health care and treatment.
mesh_terms: D006285:Health Planning; D006801:Humans; D007883:Legislation, Medical; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D009313:National Health Programs; D014481:United States