During the spring and summer of 1975, 666 Mexican Americans in 3 Southern California cities were surveyed to examine the relationship between various social, economic, and cultural aspects of the Mexican American population and their contact with mental health services. Sixty-three of the respondents were considered to have had contact with mental health services. There was considerable cultural variation within the sample: 40% were first generation (born in Mexico); 35% were second generation (U.S. born with one or both parents born in Mexico); 19% were third generation (U.S. born with both parents born in the U.S.); 42% spoke mainly Spanish; 27% were bilingual; and 31% spoke primarily English. Factors examined included the belief in folk curing, socioeconomic status, marital status, female-headed household, language usage, level of acculturation, attitudes toward mental health services, and sources of emotional support. Findings indicated that those respondents who had contacted clinics and those who did not were equally likely to be of low socioeconomic status, have a fairly strong local extended family, and express little belief in or use of folk healers. Both relied on most non-professional sources of emotional support to the same extent and had generally favorable attitudes toward mental health services. Respondents who contacted clinics were more likely to be English speakers and single/separated/divorced/widowed, living in a female-headed household. Those who contacted clinics tended to consult often with friends and relatives. (NQ)