SUPPORTS FOR COMMUNITY-BASED MENTAL-HEALTH-CARE - AN OPTIMISTIC REVIEW OF FEDERAL-LEGISLATION

For the past 50 years, federal legislation has been a key force in sha ping the delivery of public mental health services. This article descr ibes and summarizes recent relevant federal legislative initiatives an d analyzes their potential in providing support, either explicit or im plicit, for community-based mental health care for adults in the Unite d States. These legislative mandates and options can be a source of op timism and ammunition for advocates and change agents as they continue to work vigorously to improve the mental health services system.