E.C.T. treatment

Press, 1 June 1977, Page 16

E.C.T. treatment

Sir, —Mental illness, in large part, is symptomatic of a basic flaw in our society, It is produced by our society, and is part of our selfperpetuating Anglo - Saxon culture. Many aspects of mental or emotional illness are the result of faulty education both at home and at school; a consequence of the stiff - upper - lip, you - shall - not - wear - your - heart - on - your - sleeve school of thought, which has its roots in Puritanism and Victorianism. Unfortunately, unlike the Latin peoples, who have a healthy respect for their emotions, and learn to five in harmony with them from an early age, we are taught that emotions are to be treated as if non-existent, that feelings such as sadness, grief and tenderness are traits reserved exclusively for women, and even then only

in socially acceptable situations and at appropriate times.—Yours, etc.. W. R. FILSHIE, Woodend. May 29, 1977. Sir, —M. A. Grennell has worked loyally at Sunnyside for a year. I worked, perhaps with different loyalties, at Oakley, Carrington, and Sunnyside for nearly three years. Mr Grennell has “yet to see anyone being forced to have” E.C.T. My own observations and opinions are on record in various places. In 1974 I saw the threat of E.C.T. used to suppress disturbed behaviour. What has happened since 1974? Has anyone in senior administration been replaced? Who supervises the supervisors? Mr Grennell and I may well make different value judgments, but before we enter public debate I think we should seek similar experience of the facts. — Yours, ’’ KEN MCALLISTER. May 31, 1977.