In this paper, morbidity produced by mental disorders, projected changes in morbidity resulting from demographic/economic change, & the possible role of psychiatry in the Canadian health care system was studied. Bland suggests that as baby boomers age, psychiatric disorders in the population will increase. Effects of income, education & life expectancy are also discussed. Bland feels that as boomers age, users will pay for services more directly & that geriatric psychiatry will grow. (34 refs.)