Nurses Discuss Mental Health Problems

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29250, 7 July 1960, Page 2

Nurses Discuss Mental Health Problems

The cause of mental disorders in children and elderly folk was discussed at the New Zealand Student Nurses’ Conference in Christchurch yesterday. Miss W. Mclvor, of Invercargill, spoke of the effects parents and home life had on the mental health of children, and Miss R. Watson, of Hamilton, described the effects of environment on the mental condition of elderly men and women in reports supplied by the conference.

“It is in the sheltered atmosphere of his home, in itself a small society, that the child learns to adapt himself to the rest of the world,” said Miss Mclvor. “It is through his relationship with, his mother and father, brothers and sisters, that he becomes able and willing to give up his more primitive desires in favour of what other people want. “The importance of father in the life of the child often tends to be overlooked. “Fathers should learn to do things for their children and to take an interest in their activities in order to establish a good relationship with them. Wherever possible, daily contact between father and child should be made. “The mental health of the child begins at the time of his birth. It is all too often said: ‘He won’t understand, he’s too small.’ Particular characteristics developed during the first five years of a child’s life would affect his adult outlook and relationships to a large extent. “Once a child goes to school there is bound to be a marked change in his attitude towards his home. There will be a growing desire for independence. Making Friends

“The question of his making friends with other children is often a difficult one for parents. It is natural for parents to want their family to mix with ‘nice’ children, to worry when they appear to be learning bad habits or are getting into trouble with other children.

“But parents should not try to choose their children’s friends for them. If they do, the children will have no opportunity to form judgments of their own and in later life will be unable to discriminate between desirable and undesirable company. “If he has been brought up in a secure and happy hoipe with parents who love him and want him to be happy, the child will have the best possible chance of growing up to be a mentally healthy, happy adult—that is free to live his own life and at the same time, able to .love and respect his parents to whom he owes so much,” said Miss Mclvor.

“The-problems of old age arise from the gradual deterioration in physical and mental well-being which appears to be inseparable

from the process of growing old,” said Miss Watson. “These problems can be met and greatly compensated for if the old person’s mental attitude is such that he accepts the situation in its true perspective and adjust his mode of life to it.

“Appreciation of good literature, music arid art, can largely compensate for the declining ability to participate in social activities. For those suffering from intellectual and cultural poverty, guidance is needed from a person recognising the situation, and suitable hobbies should be encouraged.

“Another factor ... is the system of compulsory retirement Very often it may appear to advance on the alert individual suddenly and leave him without his former status and vital interests. This may result in a premature senility due primarily to the psychological cause,” she said. Loneliness, Boredom

Loneliness and boredom beset old people and it is beneficial to keep them out of hospital if at all possible. In many such places parting with personal belongings, sharing a public ward, daily routine, routine meals and discipline contributed to “depersonalisation.”

Mental confusion was manifestation of illness, either physical or psychological in nature. Frequently both were involved in its cause. Change of environment and lack of sympathetic handling added to it.

“We are not really able to avoid the mental confusion in the first place, but as nurses understanding its cause we can help advise toward improvement and prevention. “It is important to realise that old people vary greatly in their sensitivity regarding their dependence on people for the personal care they can no longer undertake for themselves. Most old people seek solace for their increasing loneliness by living more and more in the past.

“If ’--e bear in mind difficulties and anxieties that beset the aged it becomes easier to understand and care for them,” Miss Watson said.