A Survey of Attitudes of Chairmen of Departments of Psychiatry Toward Community Mental Health

The authors conducted a survey of chairmen of departments of psychiatry to determine their attitudes toward community mental health and the extent of their departments' involvement in community psychiatry. Among their findings were: a majority of departments had some association with a community mental health center (CMHC); the larger the department, the more likely such an association; a majority of departments offered training in community psychiatry to their residents; significant research in community mental health was carried on by a minority of respondents; most chairmen had a favorable attitude toward community mental health; and a majority of chairmen were congenial to having a CMHC within their departments.