The Search for Sanity provides a comprehensive discussion of the issue of mental illness. The book begins by addressing the question of whether society is sick. This is followed by separate chapters on the social aspects of mental health; the problems caused by sex such as prostitution, sexually transmitted disease, and illegitimate births; how the quest for power can destroy people; and ways people try to escape from reality, including drug use and alcohol consumption. Subsequent chapters cover the treatment for mental illness, how treatment helps, hospital care, and ways the community can help. The final chapter deals with the promotion of mental health and prevention of mental illness.