CHRISTMAS IN MENTAL HOSPITALS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 72, 18 December 1928, Page 12

CHRISTMAS IN MENTAL HOSPITALS

Sir, —Christmas is upon us. aud a good many peojile are anxious to try and give a little pleasure at this season to those who are less fortunately situated than the most of us. I know that every effort is made at hospitals, old folks’ homes, and such like places, to give as much joy as possible to the inmates, and what gladness results from these efforts. What is the position at mental hospitals? I spent the last two Christmasses at a mental hospital, and it was heart-breaking to see how very little was done by either the authorities or the general public to try and bring a little joy and gladness to the inmates. As regards the general public, surely, it is only thoughtlessness that causes this position, rather than that they do not feel for these unfortunate fellow-beings. How different is the attitude of the nurses etc., in our public hospitals at this season, compared with that of mental hospital attendants. The nurses in the public hospitals vie with each other in their efforts to brighten the lot of their patients, Some people may say it would seem like irony to put up decorations in a mental hospital, seeing that the patients hate the place, and are always longing and praying to get out of it. Well, sir, I do not believe it would. I sincerely believe that if the authorities and the general public put as much effort into trying to brighten mental hospitals as they do with general hospitals—both at Christmas, and at all times—that they would bring a good measure of happiness to sad hearts. Let us look this matter square in the face, right now, and resolve that each of us will do what little we can, even at this late hour, to remedy the position. He gives twice who gives quickly—let us get to work right away, and do something for these sick men and women. During my stay there I had a visitor one day, and lie put the position to me thus: “My friend, there are three kinds of sickness—sickness of the body, sickness of the mind, and sickness of the soul, and in each case wise and kind treatment is needed.” The thought was very encouraging to me at the time, and I gladly pass it on to others, believing that it may do ° I sincerely hope that an effort will bo made in the next ten days or so to do everything possible to brighten of those in the mental hospitals this Christ-mas.-I am, etc., EX pATI]?NTt Wellington, December 13. '