THE PROBLEMS OF PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS FOR RURAL AREAS MAY BE DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS. IN THE FIRST SECTION, THE PROVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO RURAL POPULATIONS, A REVIEW OF FEDERAL LEGISLATION PERTAINING TO MENTAL HEALTH LEADS TO THE CONCLUSION THAT REGULATIONS WERE WRITTEN FOR URBAN AREAS TO THE EXCLUSION OF RURAL AREAS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE STRICT ENFORCEMENT OF SOME OF THESE REGULATIONS WOULD NOT PERMIT THE DIFFERENT APPROACHES IN RURAL AREAS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE SUCH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AS DAY CARE, EXTENSIVE SPECIALIZATION, AND THE CONSULTATION PROCESS. THE SECOND SECTION RELATES TO THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEANINGFUL SERVICE WHICH RURAL YOUTH MAY EXPERIENCE WHILE WORKING IN MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS. DUE TO THE SHORTAGE OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, COLLEGE STUDENTS AND OTHER YOUTH HAVE BEEN UTILIZED TO PROVIDE CERTAIN ASPECTS OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE. THIS PRACTICE HAS PROVEN QUITE SUCCESSFUL, BOTH IN PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE, AND IN GIVING YOUTH A SENSE OF WORTH AND DIGNITY WHILE PERFORMING A MEANINGFUL SERVICE FOR MANKIND. 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)