MENTAL DISEASE

Hokitika Guardian, 10 November 1936, Page 3

MENTAL DISEASE

‘•AFFLICTS, HALF. AUSTRALIA” r MELBOURNE, Nov. 8. “Half the population of Australia suffers from some form of mental disease,’ said the City , Health Officer (Dr John Dale), in a Health Week talk today. < He believed, he said, that the country’s low birth-rate and the increase in mental disorders were | attributable principally to the insecurity of times. | . “A married, man is not encouraged "To have a family,” he said. “Rebates in ‘ taxation are only nominal compared witllthe cost of bringing up a iatnilv. “Although'it is largely supposition by file, I attribute these mental disoidels -to the failure of an increasing number of people to adjust- theifiselves to the pace of modern life. “Behind it, too, is the change in the 1 character of industry which, because off the increasing subdivision of labour, makes it on the whole less interesting for workers. . ; j “One of the causes of mental disorder is the loss of interest in life. Because of all this, there is great need for the. formation of character and what I call attention to mental hygiene during the early years of life. I “This would act a s a preventive against ’mental instability. A Reversion to natural conditions would,also 1 promote more interest in living!' j > “Compared with modern ■ lllJustrialism, ;.: life 100)-years ago provided a natural • Mndergurten. ■■ A small house, -with-.oi'n'b-or two children, is' less .likely bov, produce/'.a /wellsbalanocd' life.”