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 7, 1996 included in Magellan Health  Services,  Inc.'s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended  September  30,1996 and to all references to
our firm included in this Registration Statement.



                                                        /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP


Atlanta, Georgia
January 23, 1997