Conducting state and local health needs assessments. Designs and strategies

A comprehensive set of five needs assessment techniques designed to facilitate informed decisions about mental health services planning at the state or local level are presented. These include: (1) estimating the size of the target population based on statistical extrapolations from prevalence rates or inferences from indirect indicators; (2) surveys of institution-based populations; (3) surveys of service providers; (4) client-targeted surveys; and (5) surveys of key informants. Each technique is discussed in terms of its unique design considerations, strengths and weaknesses, the phase's association with its application, and estimated resource requirements. Mental health needs assessments can be conducted in a cost-effective manner, especially important in an era when rational decisions about the allocation of scarce resources are essential.