THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES BEGAN IN SEPTEMBER 1963 AT MADISON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, IRVING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND CROTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THE PROGRAM WAS DIVIDED INTO TWO BROAD CATEGORIES--PREVENTIVE SERVICE AND DIRECT SERVICE. THE PREVENTIVE SERVICES FOCUSSED INTERPRETATIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH INSERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR TEACHERS, GROUP DISCUSSIONS IN THE AREA OF MENTAL HEALTH FOR STUDENTS, AND A PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAM. THE DIRECT SERVICES WERE PROVIDED BY PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANTS WORKING WITH TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS, PUPILS, PARENTS, AND GUIDANCE COUNSELORS. THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR COORDINATION WAS GIVEN TO THE PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKER. EACH SCHOOL WAS ALLOWED, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE TEAM CHAIRMAN AND ADMINISTRATOR, TO DEVELOP A PROGRAM WHICH SEEMED MOST SUITED TO ITS NEEDS. MONTHLY MEETINGS WERE HELD TO ENCOURAGE GREATER INTERCHANGE OF STAFF EXPERIENCES. SOME OF THE PROBLEMS WHICH CONFRONTED THE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS IN MADISON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE 1963-64 YEAR WERE--THE LACK OF COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN ADMINISTRATOR AND CLINICAL PERSONNEL, A DIFFERENCE IN THE FRAME OF REFERENCE DUE TO THE DIFFERENT ORIENTATION OF MENTAL HEALTH PERSONNEL AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL, THE AMBIGUOUSNESS OF CLINICAL PERSONNEL ROLES AND THE UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS HELD BY BOTH CLINICAL AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL REGARDING PROGRAM OUTCOME.