In this paper a short overview is given about the new trends and developments in the Dutch (non-residential) mental health care (child guidance, marriage guidance, social psychiatrie clinics, mental health centres etc.). After enumerating the recent gains which can be seen in this field of care and also the shortcomings which are evident in regard to both organisation as methods, two models of mental health care are distinguished. Three actual aspects of the first model: intervention in individual processes are discussed: a. the problem of regional organisation (mental health centres), b. the necessity to cooperate with nonprofessional workers on mental health matters and c. the difficulties in introducing new methods such as mental health consultation (Caplan). Some aspects in the developments of the second model: intervention in social processes are shown by discussing a population-centered forms of prevention, information and education, b research and c planning in the field of mental health care.