Evening star., 1939-01-15
Psythiatrit Cases
0verfax Staff Of
Chest Agency
Officials Cite Need
For Service and
Lack of Funds.

Lack of Funds
Men and women on the verge
of mental breakdown, or so depressed
as to be planning suicide, must not
be refused guidance and treatment,
according to DR.. Paul j. Ewerhardt,
executive of the Washington Mental
Hygiene Institute. Equally vital is
1t that opportunity for skilled psy-
chiatric treatment should be avail
able in earlier and more hopeful
cases, DR.. Ewerhardt said.
Increasing demands for the psy-
chiatric and psychological treatment
which this Community Chest agency
offers will mean further overtaxing
of staff and facilities which are
overburdened with the less hope
full cases. it was pointed out. The
agency is prevented from expand
ing because Of the deficit in the
total Chest fund needed for 1899.
'The people who come to our adult
clinic are urgently in need of help"
DR.. Ewerhardt said.
Service cannot be postponed or
any other service substituted where
1t is obvious that man or woman
either needs preventive treatment to
avoid mental breakdown, or should
be persuaded to enter an institution
for his own protection and the safety
Of his family"
Meanwhile, the childrens clinic
conducted by the agency must con-
tinue its work of conserving the
mental health of children who come
because they have developed some
behavior problem which indicates
the need for early preventive treat
ment.
Helped 400 Children.
The Washington Institute of Men
tai Hygiene last year gave help to
approximately 400 children and 400
adults who either came to them of
their own accord or were referred
by teachers, physicians, other social
agencies, or from some other source
Who comes to the institute? DR..
Ewerhardt answered by citing these
specific cases:
Judy was only 8, when her mother,
who works to support her and her
self, appealed for help for the
youngster. Nervous twitchings and
a gastric spasm made it impossible
for her to attend school, yet doctors
had been able to find no cause for
her symptoms. Study by the clinic
revealed mental pressures and
strains that responded to direct
treatment of the girl and psychi-
atric social work with the mother.
In time, Judy's symptoms disap-
peared and she went back to school.
Father Is Alcoholic.
Fifteen-year-old John is referred
for psychiatric study prior to a
hearing on charge of carrying
a gun and threatening others.
Study reveals that Johns hate and
outbreaks stem from his suffering
in a home made unhappy by an
alcoholic father. Understanding and
skilled guidance is necessary to pre-
vent John from becoming a dan
erous lawbreaker.
The aftermath of sleeping sick
ness suffered by 8-year-old Wendell
changed him from happy, normal
child into one who is unruly and
dangerous to other children. Pun
ishment applied by his mother only
makes his behavior worse. A long
period of treatment in the clinic
and development of understanding
on the mothers part is needed to
avoid the danger of serious men,
tai break for the child.
Children are seen by the clinic
not as problem children" but as
children who are struggling in
problem situation, DR.. Ewerhardt
emphasized.
To the adult division come the
adults beset by worry, extreme de-
preston, irritability, excessive sus-
piciousness, many close to the break
ing point where complete mental
breakdown is danger.
John B., 40-year-old man,
father Of five children, is harrassed
by heart palpitations, sweating,
choking, and fatigue-symptoms for
which his physician can find no
physical basis. Unable to hold a
Job, he is constantly fearful of dy-
ing. Through treatment by skilled
psychiatrists at the institute he
regains self confidence and under
standing of his own symptoms as
outer indications of inner turmoil
Within two months he is able to
resume the job he was forced to
leave.
Man Is Being Aided.
Another case is that of MIR. S..
80, who arrived at the center at
midnight one Monday night clinic,
threatening to "go off the bridge"
unless some one could help to keep
him from going crazy" His wife
was on the verge Of leaving him,
and he has been so worried that he
has developed fainting spells. To
him the adult clinic is bringing
misunderstanding and a reason
able approach to a solution OF his
home problems.
Each year demands on the in
stitute are multiplying, not only
from individuals, but from public
and private agencies. We have
tried valiantly with a very limited
staff to keep up with this ever
increasing demand" states DR..
Ewerhardt.
Acquainting the general public
with the necessity for and the pro-
cesses of the mental hygiene work
is also considered an important
function of the agency. It works in
close cooperation with other COM
munity chest agencies who deal
with families and with children.
Children are referred to the clinic
from both public and private
agencies, including the Juvenile
Court.
AS the clinic is Community
rbeet orcopization H. does nOt ac.