Determining the need for mental health services in rural areas.

This study examined the need for mental health services as reported by rural consumers in DHHS Region V. It compared social indicator and consumer survey methods of determining need. Data were collected by mailed questionnaires and personal interviews from a probability sample of 3,057 rural residents. The need for mental health services was found to be no greater than that which has been reported for other residential areas. The social indicator method was found to be a poor predictor of need when compared to the consumer survey.