TREATMENT FOR STUDENTS

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28420, 29 October 1957, Page 3

TREATMENT FOR STUDENTS

University Scheme At Auckland "The Press’ Special Service AUCKLAND. October 28. University students in Auckland may be able to get expert treatment next year for minor anxieties, nosophobia (exaggerated fear of disease), lesser psychosomatic disorders, study strain, and examinitis.

In a report prepared for the university on the proposed Auckland University student health scheme for 1958. Dr. D. B. Gash, of Auckland, has suggested that the scheme should provide: A service freely available to students and staff for periodic health discussions and examinations;

A service capable of handling “student distress’’; A service, which in co-opera-tion with the department of physical education and other university societies, should try to help the student, especially a “fresher,’’ to study more efficiently, to take adequate exercise, to play sport, to join in the general cultural life of the college, and to pass his examinations. Dr. Gash said “Student distress’’ was a term coined by Dr. N. Malleson, a British student health physician. Dr. Malleson defined student distress as “a host of minor anxieties. nosophobia, lesser psychosomatic disorders, study strain, examinitis and the like, not severe enough to warrant psychotherapy, but able substantially to interfere with both happiness and efficiency.’’ The Auckland service will aim

“to help an essentially normal young man or woman to become better adapted to the demands of university environment and to overcome some of the personal problems inherent in growing up.’’ In doing this the student health physician “must necessarily become involved in university life and be in a position to observe the impact that it makes on the young people that enrol, particularly the less rugged.’’ Dr. Gash recommended that the health scheme, should continue next year on the present lines—an annual interview, physical examinations, chest X-ray and other checks, with further interview! if needed. >