Ten studies concerned with developing culturally sensitive programs for mental health treatment of American minority groups are presented. Chapters 1-5 discuss variables to be considered when creating such programs. Work in cross-cultural settings has raised questions about the validity of some of the newly developed psychiatric diagnostic criteria, as represented in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual III, when applied to culturally distinctive groups. Research is presented to demonstrate major variations in symptom presentations and "illness discourses," challenging the assumption that specific symptoms will be uniformly associated with diagnostic entities across cultures. Specific cultural variations and treatment needs are discussed for American Indians, Blacks and Mexican Americans. Chapters 6-10 represent the work of mental health clinicians and administrators who draw from their experience treating Hispanics. Asians, Pacific Asians, and people from Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas. Emphasis is on delivery of services and the relationship between provider and recipient, both of which factors can be modified to use aspects of the client's culture and therefore treat him or her more effectively. Extensive lists of references are included. (PS)