RETURNED SOLDIERS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 88, 13 April 1917, Page 2

RETURNED SOLDIERS

IN MENTAL HOSPITALS.

; :*'l have been anxious for a long time to make arrangements for North Island men who are in "the earlier stages of 'mental trouble, arising out of service with the Ai'my," said the Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister of Public Health, last night.' "During my last visit to Aucfel land I discussed with Dr Bealtie, Superintendent of the Auckland Mental,' Hospital, the desirability of establishing an institution connected with the Auckland Mental Hospital on the same lines, as the home at Puketeraki; 5 near Dunedin, to which all men suffering from neurasthenia or mental shock had hitherto been sent. As a result, it has been determined to establish the Wplfe Home in buildings contiguous •to the Avondale institution, and to reserve it for neurasthenic soldiers belonging to the North Island. The home is now being prepared for the reception 'of such, patients. ; Special orderlies will be supplied as probationary attendants, aiid 'the necessary inumber of experienced men will be appointed from the mental hospital staff to care for the unfortunate'men; who have to be placed.there. There will be.still some cases for whom the mental hospital will be the only place, but every man so afflicted who baa; a chance of recovery •will'be placed' in the Wolfe Home, and, as,: is being "done now: at Puketeraki, every effort will be made to lead him back to a normal state of mind as soon as possible, and so help him to get back to his^ ordinary civilian life again. ' ■ " The Auckland Returned' Soldiers' Association also raised the question about the payment ;of pensions to the men in, the mental- hospital. Itappears that some time ago ah arrangement was made with the Mental' Hospital Department that the pensions payable to returned soldiers who were' placed in mental hospitals should be devoted to their upkeep. When! learned that this arrangement existed I at once cancelled. it, and the pension certificates held by .the Department were returned to the Tensions Mr. Russell explained a pension could be granted to the representatives of a man , in hospital, to be used for the purchase of comforts for him. or to be banked for his use when he is well enough to be discharged.. . . . '■ , .