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actual nature of the problem which is being presented by the
patient; and crisis situations, such as a death in the family, in
which the patient may need actual help in overcoming or at least
alleviating grief. Some recent publications have indicated that
" grief " usually due to bereavement may be regarded as a psychiatric
syndrome. There is some discussion at present as to whether
the social worker would be of value to the doctors in aiding a
more accurate medical diagnosis by allocating time to taking
social histories in selected cases.
Our experience over the past 12 months of social workers working
in general practitioners' surgeries indicates that this is a most
important and rewarding field for preventive work.
FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN MENTAL HEALTH FIELD
Liaison with Manor Hospital, Epsom
Liaison with this hospital for subnormal cases has been
strengthened by the opening of an out-patient clinic in this
Borough at the William Harvey Centre. The clinic is giving a much
needed service of consultation and assessment for the subnormal
patient. A mental health social worker attends this clinic and
also acts as liaison social worker with the Manor Hospital.
Club for E.S.N, school leavers
With the co-operation and valued support of Mr. Davis, Warden
of the Katherine Low Settlement, a club was started this year to
cater for young people leaving special schools for the educationally
subnormal. The club is run by a mental health social worker
supported by voluntary helpers. The membership has varied from
6 to 15 members. This service meets the need of the young person
who lacks the confidence to join ordinary clubs and also caters
for the more disturbed young person whose behaviour would
possibly not be contained in less specialised clubs.
Voluntary services for the mentally handicapped
The Gateway Club, organised by the Wandsworth Society for
Mentally Handicapped Children, continued their weekly meetings
with a membership of 65.
Experimentally, a group of members attend each week at the
Culvert Youth Centre in Battersea where a varied programme of
an educational type is organised for them by teachers and students.
The Gateway members are able to take advantage of the excellent
equipment at this Youth Centre.
The Swimming Club now meets in the Putney Baths each Friday
evening. Half a dozen of the members are now good swimmers.
This year the Wandsworth Society for Mentally Handicapped
Children also started a club for mentally handicapped children
under 16, About 30 children attend and enjoy the programme