The Daily News FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1935. MENTAL HOSPITALS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1935, Page 4

The Daily News

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1935. MENTAL HOSPITALS.

OFFICES! NEW PLYMOUxA. Cqrrl* Bin*. STBATFORD, Broadvay. HAWERA. High Street

The continued increase in the registrations of cases of mental disordersythroughout the Dominion has given all interested in social problems food for much consideration. At first sight the figures appear alarming.. Registrations have grown from 5710 in 1929 to 7814 last year. Even if from the latter total are deducted the 591 cases on probation or under private care the 7223 registrations which remain show an increase of 1500 in a population that has remained almost stationary in the years to which the statistics apply. Such a result—in a country in which conditions in regard to climate, standard of living, housing, industrial conditions and State supervision should make for a high standard of public health —is calculated to arouse apprehension and the desire to remove the causes of so grave a tendency in communal existence. There are, however, judging from the annual report of the Director of Mental Hospitals,. Dr, T. G. Gray, which was laid before Parliament this week, certain factors that reduce to some extent the apparent significance of the increase in the number of registrations. One of the most important of these factors is the gradual change in the attitude of the public towards mental disease. At one time its occurrence was a matter regarded as something almost of disgrace to the- kindred and friends of the patients. They were to be “put away” and kept segregated and, to a large extent forgotten, provision for their care and treatment being accepted as a personal or public duty, even if with little hope that recovery was possible. To-day an improv-

ed public opinion is growing. Like other illnesses, mental disorders are now regarded as matters for sympathy and treatment without any tinge of disgrace or hopelessness of cure. Patients are themselves advised that early treatment is wisest and at the larger hospitals clinics for mental cases have been established. Such efforts have had their effect upon the number of cases registered, and, fortunately, upon the recoveries made. At the State mental hospitals research is continuous, new methods by which in many cases self-help on the part of the patients is stimulated and developed, continuous classification and the substitution of the “villa” for the old barrack-like premises—where careful classification of cases was almost impossible, and the psychological effect upon patients with a chance of recovery was depressing—has done much to increase the number of recoveries, and to afford those who, for their own sakes, must remain under skilled surveillance, a less dreary existence. Were funds available, as Dr. Gray points out in his report, classification could go further, as well as the segregation of patients likely to indulge in violent and dangerous conduct. The average annual number of deaths in mental hospitals for the period 1929 to 1933 was 391. Last year the figure was 436, which seems to keep pace with the additional number of registrations. But while the annual discharges of patients cured for the previous five-year period averaged 273, last year 666 patients, including some who had voluntarily entered for treatment, were discharged from the mental hospitals. The figures . would seem to indicate that earlier and wiser treatment is having its effect, and there should be no hesitation in providing the necessary funds to permit of any essential, specialised treatment, particularly in regard to the necessary buildings for the classification of patients. For many of them the chances of recovery are small; for some they- do not exist, and such persons must remain the wards of their kindred or of the State. Expenditure that will facilitate recovery is not only wise humanitarianism but is sound economy also, for the patient who recovers can again take his place in community life and accept the responsibilities as well as the privileges of free citizenship. The facts reported by Dr. Gray are grave enough to warrant careful thought. They need not arouse any special misapprehension, however, nor do they leave the feeling that the fight against mental diseases is wholly a losing battle. But those carrying out the campaign must have the necessary equipment, and that is for Parliament to ensure.