Data are presented concerning the total number of children served in psychiatric facilities and the utilization of specific facilities, including outpatient psychiatric clinics, state and county mental hospitals, private mental hospitals, inpatient psychiatric services of general hospitals, psychiatric day-night services, private psychiatric practice, and community mental health centers. Special studies on utilization trends are provided in the fields of services in small geographical areas and the relationships of household factors to patterns of care for mental illness. Additional data describe the use of nonpsychiatric resources. The following are also discussed and their implications considered: sex differences, differences in utilization patterns among psychiatric facilities, patterns of living arrangements and household composition, suicide, impact of federal and state programs on patterns of care and length of stay in inpatient facilities, and current and projected mental health program needs. (RD)