A comparison of the importance of the extended family with mental health facility policies and "curanderismo" was conducted to explain the lower mental health clinic usage by Mexican Americans. Data were collected in three Southern California towns in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties in the spring and summer of 1975. Spanish-surname households were contacted door-to-door by bilingual interviewers. Of those households with Mexican American residents, 77% accepted the interview; about 666 Spanish and English questionnaires were administered. Most of the respondents were born in California; 42% were born in Mexico. While 42% spoke mainly Spanish, 31% primarily spoke English, and 27% were bilingual. About half the respondents were between the ages of 35 and 59; 37% were less than 35 years old, and 14% were 60 years or more. About 90% had relatives or in-laws living in town, and about 56% of these were related to more than five households. About 88% had "compadres"; most of these had "compadres" living in town. It was found that the extended family was an important support system for Mexican Americans with emotional problems. Relatives and "compadres" were seen more frequently than any other source of help by natives and immigrants alike. Friends, physicians, and priests/ministers were also consulted. "Curanderos", on the other hand, were rarely called on for help in meeting emotional crises. Although almost half of the respondents knew about the local clinic, they preferred alternative sources of help, particularly the extended kin group. (NQ)