OUR MENTAL HOSPITALS.

Shannon News, 30 March 1926, Page 2

OUR MENTAL HOSPITALS.

(By an Official Visitor). It is a curious fact that in,these enlightened days there should be so much —let us call it—misunderstanding about our mental hospitals. When on'e knows a little about the inside life and work that is being done for the inmates of these institutions and then hears the extraordinary state- ( ments made by some of the outside'puh- . lie, one longs to put the true state of ■ things before them, i With bated breath and in.hushed tones the | news is imparted that someone, who in all probability has been overworking or had some severe shock, has "gone"mad and been put into the Asylum.'' (By the way, the latter word and the term "lunatic" are quite obsolete nowadays). One wonders why there should be such a shame and disgrace attached to this form of illness. Why should a hospital of this kind be looked upon as * prison, and the attendants termed warder and wardresses (as I have often heard them called), when they are in most cases wonderfully patient, kindhearted men and women, whose sole object seems to be the welfare and coni'fort of thei* "children" as many of them term those under their care? Let me give a few instances whilst on this subject. One day whilst I was in the matron's room, a little chargenurse came in breathless carrying a large plate; she had heard that some sweets were being given out, and was so afraid that her ward might not get any. Another time when .songs were being sung I saw a patient's eyes ••fill, with tears, and immediately a nurse who happened tONbe sitting n'ear,, put her arms round her and comforted her. I have also known cases where nurses have lent their own clothes to patients who have wanted to look extra nice at . an outing. .' A matron told me once that sue should never forget a medical, superintendant showing her how to lock _a door. Turning the key gently, he said, "always remember there is someone on the other side."

I These are just a very few of many .incidents which could be recorded. . Many a time one hears peopl'e say they would rather their relations should die than go into a mental hospital. Why this hopelessness? Why this finality* People do not say this about an ordmiary hospital. Surely it is time to do [away with this idea of shame. After ' all, why should it be more of a disgrace i to'have an illness of the brain than of 'the body? It is pathetic when patients ■ ask one whether people will'shun them and be afraid to be seen speaking to them when they come out again to take their place in the world. One cannot help thinking that more people would avail themselves of the opportunity of becoming voluntary boarders and getting the proper treatment when they need it were it not for this idea of disgrace. I shall never forget one poor soul who had been terribly worried, and when the final straw came, feeling that she could stand no more, she came into the mental hospital as a voluntary boarder, and as we were going the night round she clung to. the matron and said, "Oh, I feel so safe, there will be someone near me all night, won't there!" She settled down quite • happily on getting the answer, "Yes, dear, nurse wall be coming-in constantly to see you." - Some time ago it was suggested by a Christian body that a committee should visit these hospitals in the same way as a General Hospital, so that the pub-

lic should know what was going on I there. This, to the minds of many connected with the work, would hardly be feasible for many reasons, one of the chief being that the patients themselves would most probably resent it, as many are exceedingly sensitive. Probably few people know that each mental hospital has who possesses a master key, and visits any part of the building any time, day or night; and that there are one or two official visitors appointed by the Government for both the men's and women's quarters, who also visit uricspectedly, and must be shown any patient" or part of the hospital on demand, it being an indictable offence to hide anything from them. These official visitors are, so" to speak, the patient's links with the outside world, and can appeal for them directly to the Minister of Health at any time. Many happy hours have wo spent playing tennis hi the afternoon and bridge in the winter, and I am quite sure that no one hearing the merry laughter on a sunny tennis afternoon woidd associate with a prison the mental hospital which lam privileged to visit. _•___' J. M. W.