The group of European Medical Research Councils (EMRC) was formed in 1971 and became a Standing Committee of the European Science Foundation in 1975. EMRC is an association of medical research councils or equivalent organizations in Western Europe. The National Institutes of Health and the European office of WHO are associated with EMRC and take an active part in the work of EMRC. Formally, these organizations have the status of observers. The main aims of EMRC are to exchange information on the research policies pursued by its Member Organizations and to initiate and stimulate international cooperation in biomedical research. Since biomedical research is highly international in itself, EMRC should concentrate its activities on furthering international cooperation in those fields where it can playa significant role as a complement to existing channels. Mental illness research is, in the opinion of EMRC, one such field.

After a survey of the activities of its Member Organizations in mental illness research, EMRC decided to set up a study group to analyse areas where EMRC could contribute. Several such areas were defined by the study group and it was decided that the first activity should deal with methodologies in evaluation of psychiatric treatment. The present volume contains the proceedings of an EMRC workshop on the subject, held in June 1981. EMRC hopes that this volume will contribute to further research and research cooperation on mental illnesses.