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Day centres and social clubs—The essential, individual help that is given by social
workers will release potentials that can find healthy and constructive outlets in the activities
of a centre. The social worker may need to persuade the over-protective parent of the
adult subnormal that there is reward for both if the subnormal is allowed to attend a
centre. The parent will gain regular daily relief from the arduous task of care ; the subnormal
gains from social exchange and learns to develop self-reliance and new skills.
But in the case of the mentally ill, the relatives are often glad for the patient to attend a
day centre, though the patient may need encouragement and persuasion to try it. Once
the initial difficulties are overcome these centres are found to benefit the whole family
situation.
Social clubs are also necessary and important functions in the rehabilitation of the
mentally ill as they enable social workers to introduce patients into groups which help
to reduce the sense of social isolation and increase the channels of communication with
others.
The educational role of the mental health team—One valuable effect of divisionalisation
of the service has been the closer contact and liaison with general practitioners, outpatient
clinics, day hospitals, health visitors and other social workers, and the various
social agencies, with the resultant exchange of ideas and information and improved
mutual understanding. The mental health social workers have actively participated in the
meetings held at divisional level to which general practitioners and others were invited.
During the year they have given talks on mental health to various local groups, including
health visitors and other social workers, mothers' meetings, branches of the Society for the
Mentally Handicapped, Rotary clubs and groups concerned with old people's welfare, etc.
In the wider field talks have been given to students attending various social work
training courses, welfare officers in other fields, nurses in hospital and there has been a
growing demand from training colleges and universities for student placements in the
divisional teams. It can be said that the educational role of the mental health social
worker is an important one in view of the need to promote a greater understanding and
acceptance of mental disorder ; this is fully appreciated by the mental welfare staff.
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