MENTAL PATIENTS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1927, Page 4

MENTAL PATIENTS

MURK HUMANE TREATMENT. WELLINGTON, March 30. “Xo one,” said Hon. .T. A. Young, replying to a Nelson deputation yesterday, “knows the moment when lie may he in the unfortunate position of having to seek a physician of the mind as well as a physician of the body. It is the aim of the Government to make our mental institutions such that no one wnl feel ashamed to go there. \Ye are bringing about a better, more scientific classification and more humane treatment of the nientali'y afflicted. This classification involves the establishment of villas. We have got away from that objectionable term

‘ asylum,’ which was eliminated from our statutes years ago. We designate them ‘ mental hospitals,’ and regard them as no different from ordinary hospitals. The idea is to make these 1 p.'aees as much like homes as possible and make them comfortable, residential places.” Rehind the policy, added Mr. Young, was the realisation of Nature’s modirim—fresh air, flowers, sunshine and exercise. Wherever the policy was in operation the Department was receiving the utmost assistance from the people in the locality who saw the position from the noint of view of j humanitarian feeling for the unforunate afflicted.