Prepared by the National Institute of Mental Health staff and grantees, this report gives not only the quantitative research data, but also demonstrations of community mental health efforts that serve as excellent models for other communities to follow. Chapter I presents An Introduction: The Setting and an Overview; Chapter II, Studies of Rural Life and Mental Health: epidemiological and demographic studies, the attitudes of rural delinquents and rural suicide rates. Chapter III, New Approaches to Rural Mental Health Service, covers closing the gap between hospital and community, and mobilizing and strengthening community resources, while Chapter IV, Community Mental Health Centers in Rural America, details these centers, staffing, financing, transportation, and regional differences. Chapter V, Rural Mental Health Centers: Five Case Histories, centers on Appalachia, the Northeast Kingdom (Vermont), Aroostook County (Maine), Down East (Maine), and Prarie View (Kansas). Chapter VI, State Hospitals with Rural Patients, presents the Hospital Improvement Program and grants for Hospital Staff Development; Chapter VII, Supplying the Manpower, discusses continuing education and experimental and special training programs. Chapter VIII presents the summary and "a quick look ahead". (KM)