CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS





         As   independent   public   accountants,   we  hereby  consent  to  the
incorporation by reference in this  Registration  Statement of our reports dated
November 9, 1995 (except with respect to the matters discussed in Note 13, as to
which the date is December  20,  1995)  included in  Magellan  Health  Services,
Inc.'s  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended  September  30,1995
and to all references to our firm included in this Registration Statement.



                                                      /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
                                                      -----------------------


Atlanta, Georgia
February 23, 1996