A survey was made of mental health care in pediatric practice. Fifty-two pediatricians in thirty-two private practices were personally interviewed by a pediatrician on the staff of a community child guidance clinic. Specific areas were examined to measure the extent of involvement of pediatricians as mental health practitioners. The gap between theory and practice of the "New Pediatrics" can be narrowed and bridged if pediatricians participate actively as partners in school and community mental health teams.