What was primary treatment for mental health issues like in the 1970s?

Community-Based: During the 1970s, there were multi-disciplinary community mental health centers established. These centers had therapists and groups and often offered occupational and recreational therapy to a broad range of individuals within their catchment area. On the other hand, there were far fewer options in terms of psychiatric medications than there are now.

1970's mental health: I agree with dr. Forster. Also, when people needed inpatient treatment, the stay was long enough (often around 3 weeks) to get to know the person and actually begin treatment. Also you could be seen fairly soon in the outpatient mental health centers. Psychotherapy was a valued part of treatment, but there were also antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, lithium, & ect.