The guidebook is introduced by general observations on the Scandinavian countries concerning history, social policy, medicine, mental health, and psychiatric diagnosis. Discussed individually for Norway, Sweden, and Denmark are the following areas: mental health programs and statistics; mental illness programs, regional, hospital, aftercare, children, and future plans; retardation programs, facilities and plans; programs for alcoholism, narcotic addiction, epilepsy, maximum security, forensic institutions; and manpower and fiscal concerns. Also presented are the hospitalization and commitment procedures and forensic techniques used in each country including sterilization and castration, plus individual programs of special interest in Norway and Sweden. A bibliography is presented for each country, and appendixes of services, research proposals, and comparative statistics are provided. (JM)