According to a 1981 report, there are between 1.7 million to 2.4 million people in the United States who are considered chronically mentally ill. A chronic condition may be characterized by a long duration of illness which also includes periods of wellness disrupted by exacerbation of acute symptoms and secondary disabilities. This report conveys information hinting at clinical, socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural, heterogeneity of this population but does not address any of the special problems or needs of this population.