This document explains what community consultation and education is, what it does, and how it works; its concern with the prevention of mental illness and the promotion of mental health is examined. More specifically, the document is designed to cast a spotlight upon the preventative and educative services which community mental health centers are pledged to develop. It is also intended to provide center staff and trainees with a concise view of the scope of community mental health consultation and education. Mental health consultation is defined and explored in light of consultation tasks, priorities in the establishment of consultation, authority and power in consultation, the training of consultants, and the recording and evaluation of consultation. The section on mental health education includes training for professional mental health specialists, mental health education for community service personnel and for the lay public, and training of mental health educators. References are included. (Author)