After years of neglect, rural community mental health is becoming a legitimate area of specialization. Although the number of problems readily visible in rural mental health may appear to be inordinate, probabilities are that the difficulties found in rural locales are quantitatively no different than those found in non-rural areas. The differences may be purely qualitative. This comprehensive literature review provides a summary of the problems faced by mental health professionals in the establishment and delivery of mental health services in rural areas. Critical issues and problem areas discussed include models of community mental health care; some characteristics of rural areas; values of rural citizens; issues to be faced by the mental health center and its personnel in their entry into the rural human service delivery system; and barriers to service delivery in rural areas, which include geographical, financial, educational, and psycho-social factors. The issues of confidentiality, professional and personal problems of the rural mental health professional are addressed. Four areas of importance to rural mental health given special attention are program evaluation, univeristy activities, national organizational efforts, and the flux of rural America. A bibliography of 67 references is included. (Author/NEC)