A multi-method strategy was developed and applied to the assessment of mental health need in the catchment area of a small community mental health center. Social indicators including census data and health and welfare statistics were used to make an initial needs assessment. These findings were validated and supplemented through a survey of personnel in agencies dealing with community problems, and an analysis of statistics on clients and services delivered by the mental health center. Results indicated a significant convergence among the three strategies. A secondary analysis revealed that the survey of community perceptions contributed significantly, above and beyond social indicators, to the prediction of local mental health need. Finally, a summative index of mental health need, based on all three methodologies, utilized in the identification of high need census tracts. In conclusion, the value of a coordinated needs assessment strategy based upon at least two independent methodologies has been demonstrated. While local mental health centers may profit greatly from the readily available Mental Health Demographic Profile data, community surveys appear to make significant additional contributions, especially in the common situation where census information is somewhat dated. (Author/JLL)