Presents a brief glimpse at the geography and demography, history, and cultural idioms of Lebanon and addresses issues of psychiatric program organization in a developing nation with chronic and acute war conditions. Lebanon has been a sophisticated health care center for almost a century, has an adequate supply of specialized physicians, but lacks support personnel and has a problem of economic and geographic maldistribution. There is a strong emphasis, in both Christian and Moslem traditions, on the care of the needy, helpless, and insane. Perhaps 25 adult psychiatrists and 1 child psychiatrist are in practice. Nursing personnel are superb and perform many therapeutic functions in mental hospitals. Outpatient psychiatric treatment involves mainly psychopharmacology and supportive therapy. There are some psychotherapists practicing with a strong influence from French psychoanalysis. In 1982, the author found the Christian and Moslem populations generally cheerful and involved in rebuilding the country. However, problematic consequences of war are evident in areas of child mental health, the handicapped, organic syndromes, alcoholism, drug abuse, adolescent soldiers, depression and suicide, marital sexual problems, and neuroses. (18 ref)