Based on a feasibility study (1967-73) which focused on development of a pattern for providing comprehensive mental health services to rural people, this guide deals with promotion of citizen participation. Describing both program successes and failures, this booklet presents the major communication bridges employed by the mental health programs developed in Vance and Franklin counties. Major components in the citizen participation program are identified as utilization of: (1) neighborhood advisory councils to provide citizen participation in program planning (needs assessment, local solutions, etc); (2) county-wide advisory councils to promote citizen program monitoring; (3) contacts with the County Commissioners to provide citizen control of program via placing project monies and project employees under commissioner control; (4) formalized visits and informal contacts with allied human service agencies and professionals to promote key professional citizen involvement; (5) joint project participation with special interest groups to promote program development roles; (6) planned visits to the formal network of community decision makers to promote key citizen involvement; (7) responsive contacts to patients or to citizen groups to promote familiarity; (8) volunteers as participating citizens to serve a variety of functions relative to their interests. (JC)