WEST VIRGINIA IS A RURAL STATE HAVING A LARGE POVERTY STRICKEN POPULATION. SINCE THIS GROUP HAD NO ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH SPONSORED A VISTA PROGRAM IN MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL RETARDATION, AND ENCOURAGED THE VOLUNTEERS TO USE THEIR OWN CREATIVITY AND INGENUITY IN PROVIDING SUCH SERVICES AS--(1) WORKING IN THE HOMES OF THE POOR, (2) ESTABLISHING A DAY CAMP PROGRAM FOR MENTALLY RETARDED AND CULTURALLY DEPRIVED CHILDREN, (3) TUTORING SCHOOL CHILDREN NEEDING SPECIAL HELP, (4) TRAINING LOCAL PEOPLE AS BOY SCOUT LEADERS, (5) HELPING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS UNDERSTAND MENTALLY ILL PATIENTS, AND (6) ENCOURAGING AND ASSISTING COMMUNITIES TO DEVELOP LOCAL TEENAGE CENTERS. INITIALLY OEO FUNDS WERE USED TO PROVIDE A PROFESSIONAL SUPERVISORY STAFF FOR THE VOLUNTEERS. HOWEVER, THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH HAS INITIATED A THREE-YEAR PROGRAM TO RECRUIT AND TRAIN LOCAL POVERTY LEVEL PEOPLE AS VISTA REPLACEMENTS. THIS SPEECH WAS PRESENTED AT THE NATIONAL OUTLOOK CONFERENCE ON RURAL YOUTH, OCTOBER 23-26, 1967, WASHINGTON, D. C., SPONSORED JOINTLY BY THE U. S. DEPARTMENTS OF AGRICULTURE, HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE, INTERIOR, AND LABOR, OEO, AND THE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ON YOUTH OPPORTUNITY. (ES)