title: Strategic planning and public mental health services.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide an overview of approaches to strategic planning and to examine issues in relation to their applicability to public mental health services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Strategic planning is important for optimal functioning of mental health services in an increasingly complex environment. Although each approach will have advantages depending on context, the overall principles of the learning organization developed by Senge have particular relevance for mental health services.
authors.affiliation: Mental Health, St Vincent's Health, Fitzroy, Vic., Australia. margaret.goding@svhm.org.au
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goding
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008330:Management Audit / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010934:Planning Techniques; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D017150:Public Sector / Q000458:organization & administration