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MENTAL HEALTH WEEK
Once again the health education service was very actively engaged in the promotion of
the third of the mental health weeks which were started in 1966. Further reference to this
will be found in the report of the Principal Mental Health Social Worker.
A special programme was designed by the health education service for distribution to the
public, with a wide selection of leaflets and booklets dealing with many aspects of mental
health. A number of film shows were staged in churches and club rooms of other interested
bodies including the British Legion and the Rotary Club of Finsbury. They were accompanied
by members of the mental health section who answered questions on mental health put to them
by members of the public. Many schools were also visited and similar programmes presented. In
addition, open days were held at the training centres which are run by the department. Special
displays of articles made by patients at the training centres were devised by the health
education staff and exhibited in the foyer of the Town Hall and Finsbury Health Centre. In
addition exhibitions of art therapy by patients at the Springfield Hospital, together with
interpretations of the meaning of the paintings, were exhibited with the exhibits from the
training centres.
One of the highlights of mental health week was a Brains Trust under the chairmanship of
the Medical Officer of Health which was held in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall. A number
of eminent speakers associated with Mental Health were on the panel:-
•
Dr. J. J. Bradley, M.R.C. S., L.R.C.P., Consultant Psychiatrist, Friern Hospital
M. B., B. S. *
Dr. A. Brook, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. Consultant Psychiatrist, Cassell Hospital
and Islington Borough Council
Dr. A. Shapiro, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., Medical Superintendent and Consultant
M.B., B.S., M.D. Psychiatrist, Harperbury Hospital
Mrs. P. Strauss Deputy Director, London Boroughs Training
Committee
Mr. S. Temple Headmaster, Edward Seguin School, N.1.
Miss A. Terrington, A.A.P.S.W. Senior Social Worker, Richmond Fellowship
GERIATRIC CLINICS
The health education service was asked to increase its contribution to the geriatric
health education advisory circles which are now held at three welfare centres, and at a
group practice. It is often forgotten that when the age of retirement is reached, the
individual does in fact need to change his habits because of the change in circumstances.
Men. when they retire frequently think that they have now done their bit but it should be
remembered that a woman never retires! Dr. V. Freeman, former Associate Medical Officer of
Health, and the Health Education Officer, in association with Messrs. Camera Talks Ltd.,
produced a film strip entitled "Keeping Well in Old Age", which deals very fully with the
problems of retirement and readjustment. The film strip was very well received by their
professional colleagues and has received some good reviews in the professional journals.
Y.M.C. A.
Courses on human relationships were provided for pre-school leavers at the Y.M.C. A.
Central Headquarters.
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