Community mental health centers and services for the mentally retarded

In the past, community mental health centers have often had a policy of not providing services to the mentally retarded. In view of the many needs of the retarded child and his parents this policy is unfortunate. A review of the four-year period caseload of one small community mental health center that offered services to the retarded shows that 14% of all admissions involved the problem of mental retardation. In 70% of these cases diagnosis and counseling were provided; in 18%, casework was provided; in 12%, psychotherapy was provided to the parents. The complications involved in these latter cases are discussed. It seems clear that many of the services needed by the mentally retarded and their parents can and should be provided at community mental health centers.