Citizen participation in community mental health center service delivery

Citizen involvement in CMHC service delivery has two bases: (a) volunteerism and (b) identification with clients and citizens who may need services. This identification is expressed two ways, as cultural similarity to clients or social activism in their behalf. Paraprofessionals have been portrayed as a major mechanism. Current practice shows some discrepancy from the theoretical program goals. While CMHCs include an appreciable number of volunteers and mental health workers with less than a BA degree, the extent to which they augment services with community or social activism values is doubtful.