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181
COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR THE MENTALLY ILL
Interpretations of 'community care' are many and varied but
in the Mental Health Act of 1959 the aim was twofold, firstly to
care for the mentally ill in the community at large and to educate
the public to accept them and secondly to care for the mentally
ill in their home environment and within the community of their
own relatives and friends.
It has been truly said that, provided tolerance and understanding
on the part of relatives and friends were readily forthcoming
and immediate and constant support to the patient and
family was given by the mental health officer, then most persons
suffering from mental illness could be treated in their own homes.
Apart from the support, assistance and understanding
required by the mentally ill, a real need exists for their protection
against situations calculated to aggravate and precipitate a relapse.
Constant reminders to take prescribed medication, physical and
mental occupation to prevent boredom and self-pity and regular
excursions from the house to give relatives valuable respite, are all
m tters indispensable to a patient's eventual recovery and to which
the mental health officer must address himself. In this respect,
besides the services provided by his own authority, he should
utilize the resources of both statutory and voluntary agencies to
such effect that all benefits to which a patient is entitled are in
fa t provided and the aim to rehabilitate such a person is realized
to such an extent that a return to gainful employment is achieved.
Within such a concept, the provision of Day Centres and Clubs
is ssential but the vital link is the complete trust and confidence
bu It up by the close personal relationships established between a
mi itally ill person and the mental health officer.
For those persons who have no home of their own or where
accommodation is denied by relatives, hostel residence for a period
of 'to 12 months is indicated. This time should be used profitably
by placing occupants into employment or arranging for their
atti 'idance at day centres with a view to rehabilitating them to
sutri an extent that eventually a return home or into lodgings can
be effected. (Without doubt a case can be made out for the provison
of flatlets for such persons.) Subsequent supervision from
the mental health officer could then be minimal.