Mental health patients

Press, 29 June 1982, Page 16

Mental health patients

Sir—Mr T. C. Grigg's report on plans for long-term mental health patients (“The Press,” June 24) is unrealistic. It stands to reason that it will cost far more to provide the necessary care and protection for mentally handicapped living in smaller units tnan to provide the same care in mental hospitals. Will hospitals receive more money from the Government? The report speaks of 130 patients already released into the community. That is nonsense. They are no more “released" than they were previously (except on paper). Mentally retarded people will always remain dependent. It is an illusion to believe that we improve their happiness or standard of life by moving them away from the mental hospitals, from all their friends and accustomed social life, to a desolate “grouphouse" in. some suburban street. To succeed, much more money is needed. Otherwise it will remain just an ego-trip for “150 health professionals and social service groups.” More ominously: the mentally handicapped will be cruelly shortchanged—Yours. etc., A. °C. ESPERSEN. Nelson, June 25, 1982.

Match with Russia Sir,—lt is such a pity that M. Creel is not so exact with the rest of his continuous dialogue. His recent and unwarranted attack on Les Welenska calling him a liar is surely a case of a minute kettle calling a big pot black. His so-called Soviet Union's record of human rights and his own sanctimonious criticism of a country he has never been to is like most of his overseas knowledge — limited to Shag Rock with the tide in. Maybe we should deal with our Russian agents and dissidents with the airs and graces of M. Creel's beloved Utopia — say, three years in Sunnyside then 10 to 15 years on Campbell Island working for the State. — Yours, etc., W. E. HARPER. June 25, 1982.

“Russian” or “Soviet”?

Sir, — By his reference to the subject peoples of the Ukraine and Georgia who have players in the "Soviet" soccer team M. Creel (June 25) very neatly demonstrates that this team represents not so much Russia as the Russian Empire. But even the British oppressors permit such subjugated peoples as the Welsh and Scots to enter independent national teams. Why cannot the Russian imperialists be equally generous? —

Yours, etc., J. BEVAN. June 26. 1982.