Developing mental health programs in areas lacking professional facilities: The community consultant approach in New Mexico

Abstract

New Mexico has devised a district consultant approach to initiate mental health services in outlying, professionally “underdeveloped” areas. Each multicounty district is served by one locally based, fulltime professional consultant—a psychologist, social workers, or mental health nurse—augmented by a part time traveling psychiatrist. The program has emphasized community development, mainly through consultation, inservice training, and interagency coordination.