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between 14 and 16, and the range is from one to 80. These data serve to illustrate the great range of efforts. The smaller rural centers have a staffing pattern of two or three professionals, and the larger metropolitan centers plan have well over 150 professionals. The professionals are of course supported by non-professionals in all cases. Our data on non-professionals are less exact, but we estimate that each professional is supported by approximately two non-professional workers.

PART IV-GOALS AND PROSPECTS

The outlook, then, is a positive and promising one-reflecting substantial progress in the Community Mental Health Center program itself, and in the allied programs of the NIMH converging on that effort. This statement would be incomplete, however, without an acknowledgment of the problems we must yet face.

We must continue our efforts to fill the enormous reservoir of manpower demanded by the Community Mental Health Center program, without which our highest purposes will be frustrated.

Through careful research, we must continue to pursue the kinds of creative approaches to the treatment of the mentally ill that alone can give true meaning to the establishment of comprehensive services.

We must encourage close collaboration among the many professional disciplines working in the interests of the Nation's health, molding them into the kinds of compassionate staff that best serve the patient's interests.

We must assure that existing patterns in the financing of mental health services are maintained and strengthened in the States and communities across the Nation.

Despite our progress, we must be constantly aware that the Nation's need is still great-that nearly half a million Americans continue to reside in mental hospitals, and that a third of our citizens are significantly impaired at some time in their lives by symptoms of mental illness. We have made only a modest start in meeting the mental health needs of the American people; the great bulk of our population remains to be served through the 2,000 centers planned by 1980. Difficult tasks and obstacles are still clearly before us, yet I have every reason to believe that we will succeed. This conviction arises out of the confidence and strength we feel as partners with communities throughout the Nation. Ours is a cooperative venture embracing various segments of society. Across the country we have stimulated a wave of rising hopes. We shall continue in our efforts to satisfy those hopes-and thereby advance the well-being and productivity of our people.

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Centers funded by State and locality as of Mar. 1, 1967-Continued

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Centers funded by State and locality as of Mar. 1, 1967—Continued

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Centers funded by State and locality as of Mar. 1, 1967-Continued

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Centers funded by State and locality as of Mar. 1, 1967-Continued

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