Such factors as values, traditions, customs, institutions, language, kinship systems, beliefs and skills are highly pertinent to the providing of mental health services. The report reveals allegations of serious abuse of cultural relevancy in serving Native Americans, questions what Native American mental health is and how it differs from non-Native American mental health, and illustrates through three case reports the complexities in serving Native Americans. While it is improbable that every mental health professional can have a detailed knowledge of the cultural situation of every client, it is possible for mental health professionals to have an awareness of general cultural factors which can expedite and enhance the delivery of services to Native Americans, such as Native Americans' familiarity with and skill in adaptive processes of problem solving and the use of concepts of pathology. Suggestions for meeting mental health needs of Native Americans include: securing increased participation of Native Americans in the mental health effort; developing coping skills which will enable Native Americans to identify conflicts and to select the available options for resolving the conflicts; and combining the roles of advocate, planner, and community organizer. (NEC)