Delivery of Services to Lower Socioeconomic Groups by a Suburban Community Mental Health Center

A sample of the patients seen at a center serving a suburban area with a diversified population was assessed to see if the characteristics of the patients and the kinds of treatment provided met expectations. Lower socioeconomic groups were (as expected) disproportionately represented. However, the duration of treatment did not vary with socioeconomic class as much as expected, although the type of treatment did. The authors believe that the pattern of care which is emerging to serve the lower socioeconomic groups is approaching the pattern which serves the rest of the population.