The purpose of this article is to expand on previous work by examining the mortality of public mental health clients in eight states during selected years compared with the overall mortality of the general population in each state during the same years. Public mental health clients receive treatment and services through the public mental health authorities and agencies in their states. As needed and available, treatment and services are provided in outpatient settings, during inpatient hospitalizations, or both. In addition, the leading causes of death for public mental health clients in six of the states are compared with causes of death for the general populations of the states. Congruencies and differences among states' mortality rates and causes of death are also examined.
