Invited to participate were; all (393) mental health nursing staff employed by one county council in the central of Sweden and by the10 surrounding municipalities. In total, 256 staff participated (response rate 65%), representing 32 different units. Of these participants, 83 (32.4%) were employed by the county council and 173 (67.6%) by the municipalities. Both organizations provide mental health care. In the county council, care is regulated by the Health and Medical Services Act (Ministry of Health and Social Affairs 1982) and provided in inpatient and outpatient settings, while municipal care services are guided by the Social Services Act (Ministry of Health and Social Affairs 2001) and are mainly provided in residential homes and for persons living at home.