GATURDAY, MAY 24, 1975
ISOLATION OF MENTAL PATIENTS WON'T HELP DR. CHOA
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THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR. GERALD CHOA, HAS CALLED ON THE COMMUNITY TO ADOPT THE RIGHT ATTITUDE OF ACCEPTANCE, AND NOT DENIAL, TOWARDS MENTAL PATIENTS.
HE SAYS IT IS OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE FOR A MARITAL PARTNER
TO ADOPT THIS ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE AFFECTED HUSBAND OR WIFE.
DR. CHOA WAS SPEAKING IN HIS CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION DURING THE OPENING OF THE MENTAL HEALTH WEEK AT CITY HALL THIS MORNING.
HE URGED THAT EVERY EFFORT MUST BE MADE TO OBTAIN TREATMENT FOR THE PATIENT, AND TO ENABLE HIM OR HER TO BE RE-INTEGRATED INTO THE FAMILY AND THUS THE COMMUNITY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
ISOLATION, HE SAID, IS OF NO HELP DECAUSE IT IS EQUIVALENT TO REJECTION, AND PERMANENT INSTITUTIONALISATION IS NOT A SOLUTION EITHER BECAUSE IT FOSTERS DEPENDENCY OF THE SICK AND IMPOSES A BURDEN ON THE COMMUNITY.
DR. CHOA SAID HANDICAPPED CHILDREN WOULD NEED SPECIAL TRAINING AND EDUCATION, AND WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF PARENTS THEY COULD BE HELPED TO DEVELOP TO THE MAXIMUM RESIDUAL ABILITY AND REMAINING POTENTIALS.
+ THEY MUST FEEL THAT THEY ARE WANTED AND NOT ABANDONED OTHERWISE THERE WILL BE EVEN MORE UNHAPPINESS IN THE FAMILY,+ HE SAID.
THE PROBLEM OF PSYCHOGERIATRICS OLD PEOPLE WHO HAVE MENTAL SYMPTOMS -- WAS BECOMING MORE APPARENT NOW THAT PEOPLE HAVE A LONGER LIFE EXPECTANCY, HE SAID.
IN THIS RESPECT, DR. CHOA WENT ON, THERE WAS EVEN THE INHERENT DANGER OF A BREAK-DOWN OF THE TRADITION FOR THE YOUNG TO TAKE CARE OF THE ELDERLY IN EVERY SOCIETY IF THE FAMILY RELIES SOLELY ON THE COMMUNITY THROUGH ITS WELFARE AND HEALTH SERVICES, TO HELP.
+ IN HONG KONG, WITH A PREDOMINENTLY CHINESE SOCIETY, WE WOULD CERTAINLY REGARD A DEPARTURE FROM THIS TRADITION AS AN ADVERSE EFFECT BY A CHANGING SOCIETY ON THE FAMILY SYSTEM.+
DR. CHOA URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE OPPORTUNITIES AFFORDED BY THE MENTAL HEALTH WEEK TO LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS WHICH, LIKE TUBERCULOSIS, CANCER AND HEART DISEASES, MAY AFFECT THEMSELVES AND THE FAMILY.
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/HE SAID
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