This paper describes the Self-Help Information Service (SIS), and summarizes data evaluating the program. Associated with a generally focused information and referral service (I&R), SIS was designed to facilitate research on self-help groups. Its specific goals were to develop and maintain a telephone referral service disseminating self-help group information, and to record the number of community residents interested in joining self-help groups and the scope of their self-help concerns. The I&R provided personnel assistance in exchange for assistance with information collection and dissemination, and record keeping. A Group Resource Inventory (GRI) and a Potential Member Inventory (PMI) were devised to record information from community residents and from self-help groups. The SIS team completed the inventories following a standardized interview protocol. A 3-month information campaign promoting SIS use by community residents was followed by an abbreviated campaign 6 months later. Results of program evaluation indicated that the I&R information base was expanded. A formative evaluation and follow-up of operator and consumer satisfaction reflected high levels of satisfaction. The results indicate that an information-intensive approach is capable of addressing some important issues in the field of mental health. (The GRI and PMI are appended.) (LLL)