The third volume in a 10-volume report on the historical development (1966-1973) of the 8 administrative Area Offices of the Indian Health Service (IHS) Mental Health Programs, this report presents information on the Alaska Area Office. Included in this document are: (1) The Context (geography and demography of Alaska, IHS and regional relationships with other agencies); (2) The Initial Stage: Introduction of IHS Mental Health Services (the original mental health unit and the concept of patients as people); (3) Growth: Development of Specialized Services (whether to be a special medical ward, psychological school consultations, alcoholism programs, and training with police and state troopers); (4) Expansions: Development 1968-1973 (budget and personnel changes, dividing responsibility with the State Department of Mental Health, and reciprocity through consultation); (5) Decentralization (Nome 1971-72 IHS mental health activities, Anchorage's Alaska Native Medical Center, other service units, and summary); (6) Patient Characteristics and Flow; (7) An Overview (current and potential problems--urban emphasis, staff morale, paraprofessional utilization, budget, need for epidemiology, administrative clarity, etc.--and achievements--balanced development, personnel retention, relationships with other agencies, patient involvement, developmental tasks, and evaluation); (8) Appendix. (JC)