XN000022-1992-09-25 — Page 6

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1992

AFTERCARE SERVICE IMPORTANT FOR MENTAL PATIENTS

:

AFTERCARE SERVICE SHOULD BE GIVEN SOME PRIORITY IN THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WHEN FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR M D CARTLAND, SAID TODAY

(FRIDAY).

MR CARTLAND WAS ADDRESSING AN ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE NEW LIFE PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION.

"SO FAR, WE HAVE RELIED ON CASEWORK COUNSELLING IN THE MAINSTREAM FAMILY SERVICES AND ON THE MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS TO PROVIDE AFTERCARE FOR DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS, HE SAID.

RATE

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HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT RESEARCH SUGGESTED THAT A HIGHER OF SUCCESSFUL RECOVERY COULD BE ACHIEVED IF THERE WAS A DESIGNATED SOCIAL WORKER GIVING ACTIVE SUPPORT AND COUNSELLING TO DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS AFTER THEY LEAVE A HALF-WAY HOUSE.

IN THE LONG RUN, THIS APPROACH WILL CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS REDUCING RELAPSES AND REHOSPITALISATION OF DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS," MR CARTLAND SAID, ADDING THAT THE MOVE WOULD ALLEVIATE HEAVY DEMAND FOR BEDS IN PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS.

THE

HE SAID OVER THE YEARS, THE MENTAL BENEFITED ENORMOUSLY FROM THE CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS.

OF

HEALTH SERVICES HAD TALENTED INDIVIDUALS

UNDER THEIR LEADERSHIP, A WIDE RANGE OF REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR MENTAL PATIENTS HAD BEEN DEVELOPED, SHELTERED WORKSHOPS, HALF-WAY HOUSES ΤΟ SUPPORTED LONG-STAY CARE TO AFTERCARE SERVICES, HE ADDED,

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FROM FARMS TO HOSTELS; AND

NOT OPERATE WHICH WERE

HOWEVER FVEN THE NOST EFFECTIVE AGENCY COULD) SATISFACTORILY WITHOUT THE COMMUNITY'S SUPPORT INDISPENSABLE FOR THE REHABILITATION OF MENTAL PATIENTS, HE NOTED.

"I AM GLAD TO SEE THAT AS A RESULT OF MUCH EDUCATIONAL AND PROMOTIONAL EFFORT, THE PUBLIC'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS MENTAL PATIENTS IS GRADUALLY CHANGING," HE ADDED.

THERE WERE ENCOURAGING SIGNS OF GREATER ACCEPTANCE PATIENTS AND SOMEWHAT LESS RESISTANCE REGARDING THE REHABILITATION FACILITIES, MR CARTLAND SAID.

OF MENTAL LOCATION OF

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