This publication provides an overview of the mental health system as it relates to the general health system and especially as it relates to overall health planning under the National Health Planning and Resources Development Act. There is a need for the staff persons of the health planning agencies and the staff persons of local and state mental health agencies to have a clearer notion of the mental health aspects of health planning so that they can incorporate these aspects into their planning as effectively as possible. This publication explains some of the differences in perspectives between general and mental health, in organization, in definition and in service delivery. (Author/FC)