MENTAL PATIENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 30, 5 February 1927, Page 11

MENTAL PATIENTS

MODERNISED VIEW

iHH&im DEPARTMENT'S

POLICY

j' 1 '^""(By-Tere^fcy \" V (Sp««itl to "Th« Evtning Post.")

DXTNEDIN, This Day.

The treatment of sexual offenders 'and•patients of mental hospitals, as outlined in the'recommendations of .the Meital Defectives Commission: of 1925, and the'passing of legislation to- govern ' thei censorship of pictures and theatres, were urged upon the Hon. J. A. Young (Minister of Health) by a •deputation from the National Council of Women. ■ - N • • ■ ' „

Thie'Minister saftl that some of.the reforms recommended by the Commission were now in operation and working most effectively. During the past twelve months the Government had spent _ a lot of money, and was still spending, on the .mental hospitals, .in removing from them as far as possible the stigma . which attached to them." They ivere no different from ordinary hospitals f where those diseased of:body and suffering from accidents were treated. Mr. Young urged everyone to remember that though their bodily strength was good, they might aiany time suffer from mental upset. The Government' had now subsidised hospital board in four centres to the extent of *500 a year to establish mental clinics at the hospitals. The Department's officers were to attend at least once. a week so as to receive reports and to advise. A lot of good was being done and the idea was gradually being accepted that the institutions should be changed to mental hospitals and not: insane asylums. Nice cottage residences, in. charge of a man and his wife, were being arranged for. Here border eases would be met and entertained, and would live during a period under the charge of the authorities. Such a home was- to be opened in ■Wellington shortly, and ;■ everyone would have an opportunity of seeing what was being done. The homes would be near the main institutions, but beyond the view of it, and there the patients would get Nature's medicine. He was right out after the provision of room for the reception at hospitals of patients showing signs of mental trouble, so that sufferers would not have to go to the police, cells. Children, were being classified too, and .the Minister of Education waa attending to the education of children. . • . "

As to-the appointment of women to the boards, Mr. Young said that official visitors, wore-being appointed, and he was gratified that their reports were so satisfactory. • <<In New, Zealand, we are carrying on a progressive and humane,policy ; of trdtment of mental defectives, and trying to break down the prejudice the people have against the mental hospitals," said the Minister. lne ; Commission's report had not been pigeon-holed,, and since assuming office ho had given the report very serious consideration, bo much so that he had consulted wijh all sources of authority on the subjects^ He had then resolved to send.Dr. Gray, a worthy and capable gentleman,, abroad. Dr. Gray was now I i?*L America and Canada, and would then visit England and Europe. He should return to New Zaland some tin« : thuryear, to present his report on his investigation* with a' view to the suggested by the deputation