Community mental health: avoided by some, neglected by others

Why is there no mention of community mental health in reports and studies where it might reasonably be expected to form a major consideration. Examples of its omission are provided and reasons for its apparent avoidance and neglect advanced. The importance of mental health as a community health and development issue is argued in terms of moral responsibility and economic necessity. It is suggested that governments, health workers and the community in general need to be better informed about community mental health: they need to understand it, value it, facilitate its development and seek to maintain it. A multi-level, multi-sectorial approach is advocated to achieve these goals.