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55
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
During the year the community services for the mentally ill and the
mentally subnormal were fully committed. As the facilities offered by the
Council become more and more widely known so public demand for advice
on mental health problems increases. This trend is to be welcomed in that
expert advice and support given at an early stage can often prevent the
development of a long term chronic problem. The general theme throughout
the year was consolidation of services already functioning and forward
planning for expansion in the future, with special emphasis on three
schemes—the Assessment Unit at the Junior Training School, the Day
Centre for the Younger Mentally Ill and the Adult Training Centre.
The second in the cycle of three Mental Health Weeks was held on
4th-10th June, 1967, and the theme for the Week was "Mental Health—
Work to be done," the aim being to stimulate interest in careers in mental
health, to increase recruitment and encourage those already engaged in
other work to give time to voluntary work in this field.
Talks were given by the senior staff in the service to pupils at various
schools within the Borough and with the co-operation of the other
agencies in this field the following programme was arranged for the
Week:—
An exhibition featuring the work carried out by the Local
Authority, hospital and voluntary societies was held at Sopers,
Station Road, Harrow. Prior to the opening on Monday, 4th June,
1967, the store kindly allowed the use of their restaurant for the
purpose of holding a coffee morning at which Miss Valerie Hobson
officially launched the Week and opened the exhibition.
The Harrow Branch of the League of Friends of Shenley Hospital
held a garden party at Letchford House, Headstone Lane, Harrow,
on Wednesday afternoon, 7th June, 1967. All-in-wrestling, including
dinner-dance and cabaret was held at the Rest Hotel, Kenton on
Wednesday evening. This was sponsored by the Kenton Sporting
Club, proceeds in aid of The Harrow Society for Mentally Handicapped
Children.
Open Days and evenings were held at the three mental health
establishments run by the Local Health Authority and the three social
clubs held within the Borough were also opened to the public. Films
were also shown on Friday evening, 9th June, 1967, at the Day
Centre for the Elderly, 76 Marlborough Hill, Wealdstone.
The Parent/Teacher Association at the Harrow Junior Training
School held a barbecue at the school on Saturday evening, 10th June,
1967.