Final answer:
The Community Mental Health Centers Act of 1963 provided federal funds for the creation of comprehensive mental health centers throughout the United States, particularly benefiting rural areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The legislation that provided federal funds for the creation of comprehensive mental health centers across the country was the Community Mental Health Centers Act of 1963. This act aimed to transform the way mental health care was delivered in the United States, decentralizing the treatment of mental illnesses from large psychiatric hospitals to community-based settings, and ensuring that mental health services were more accessible to the population.
The development and funding of these centers have been a critical step in providing support and treatment in diverse communities, with particular attention to rural areas, where access to mental health services has typically been limited. Over the years, amendments and additional acts have been introduced to expand and adapt the services provided to meet the evolving needs of mental health patients and the changing landscape of health care policies and practices.