Abstract: Objective To examine community mental health staff's ability to recognize common mental diseases.Methods Totally 165 mental health staff from 3 community health service institutions(CHSI)in Karamay, Harbin and Beijing city were investigated with a questionnaire.Results The correct recognition rate of depression was 79.6% for the staff in Beijing, higher than that of in Harbin(60.7%)(χ²=8.529, P<0.012 5)and Karamay(43.6%)(χ²=27.395, P<0.001).The correct recognition rate of anxiety was 77.6% for the staff in Beijing, higher than that of in Harbin(16.4%)(χ²=75.179, P<0.000 1)and Karamay(25.5%)(χ²=54.34, P<0.000 1).The correct recognition rate of schizophrenia was 93.9% for the staff in Beijing, higher than that of in Harbin(50.8%)(χ²=46.429, P<0.000 1) and Karamay(43.6%) (χ²=58.882, P<0.000 1).The correct recognition rate of mania was 77.6%for the staff in Beijing, higher than that in Harbin(45.9%)(χ²=21.273, P<0.000 1)and Karamay(47.3%)(χ²=19.576, P<0.000 1).There were significant differences in correct recognitition rate of obsession among the staff in Beijing(98.0%), Karamay(65.5%), and Harbin(47.5%)(P<0.05 for all).Conclusion The cognition of the community mental health service staff for the common mental disease is not good, suggesting further effective strategies should be taken to improve professional skill of the community mental health staff.