AIDING MENTAL PATIENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 168, 18 July 1934, Page 15

AIDING MENTAL PATIENTS.

At a pleasant little function held at Mrs. Eidd's home, 28, Gillies Avenue, on Monday evening, the new mental hospital committee of the Auckland Hospital Auxiliary, of which she is president, was inaugurated. The new committee, of which Mrs. David Nathan is convener, Miss Mary Geddes hon. secretary, and Mre. Burlinson hon. treasurer, is a very representative one, and comprises the lady official and unofficial visitors, men unofficial visitors, and the matron of the Mental Hospital at Avondale, conveners of the various sub-committees and other members of committee. The Auckland Hospital Auxiliary undertook this extension of its activities as the result of a request from the Auckland branch of the National Council of Women of New Zealand, who felt that there were many ways in which such a committee could assist the Mental Hospital authorities with comforts and amenities for the patients which an administration, however beneficent, could not provide, and also assist cured patients throgh its after care sub-committee to re-establish themselves in the general community. Similar organisations exist in England and Australia. Guiding lines for a programme of work were adopted to comprise activities within the institution, such as a dancing class, short courses in handicrafts, play reading and a library. A sub-committee for after care is already in existence under the convenership of Dr. Elizabeth Hughes.