An initial assumption was that persons with less than full professional training can provide meaningful, useful and effective mental health services. The scope is confined to occupationally-oriented training at the associate of arts level and at the B.A. level. The extent of current associate of arts level training programs is discussed, as well as the curriculum. Two year mental health programs are viewed as emphasizing: (1) process-oriented courses; and (2) field experiences. Jobs held by people completing these programs are discussed. A more extensive treatment of developments in B.A. level training for mental health workers is presented. The current satus of the job market for these people is analyzed. A comparison between the two types of programs points up that they do not share common objectives. Various issues in training mental health workers are aired. One major consideration is the extent to which the professions should play a major role in non-professional training. (TL)