Presents a preliminary test of the conceptual model of cognitive determinants of the perception of mental health status. Path analysis was used to examine the causal relationships between education, awareness of higher level needs, S's definition of mental health, and self-rating of mental health status. Discriminant analyses were used to evaluate these variables and others as predictors of help-seeking behavior. Ss were 53 West Beirut household members, aged 19-72 yrs. Results indicate the importance of cognitive factors in the perception of mental health status and support a direct causal interpretation of model variables. Symptom checklist scores and path variables were the best predictors of help-seeking behavior.