In devising the mental health plan for Chicanos, the social, economic, and political forces that adversely affect their emotional well-being must be considered. While defining mental health needs and proposing ways to meet those needs, the cultural background of the Chicano people must seriously be considered. The plan should stress the importance of strong family ties and make provision to maintain and strengthen them. The plan's principal thrust should be a mental health service system based on their cultural needs. This paper presents an overview of the social, economic, and political factors that are detrimental to the emotional well-being of Chicanos. Topics include: la familia, the urban barrio, mental health needs of migrant workers, addiction to "hard drugs" and alcoholism, education and the child, and legal recourse for procurement of mental health resources. Criteria for evaluating mental health delivery programs serving the Chicano communities are given. Among these are: "Does the program preserve and understand the unique nature of the Chicano familia?"; "Is the indigenous Chicano community used as a source of manpower and expertise:"; "Have steps been taken to sensitize the staff to the unique values and life styles of the community residents?"; and "Has the program developed one or more service components designed to reach Chicanos in their own environment?" (NQ)