The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1957-08-09
juvenile Research

n DEliOAS Gltu0tAUu has dAAnCAA
in the Juvenile Division due to
first the shortage Of funds for
essential staff members during
the past biennium and second, in
creased number of boys and girls
committed during the last six
months. More than 1000 boys are
housed in the space for 800 and
372 girls in 280 single rooms. The
budget appropriated should
bring some relief to meet this
ever increasing juvenile popula-
ton.
Mental Hygiene
During the first year of the
next biennium, five new clinics
can be established. The second
year, with an additional amount
OF $150,000, probably five more
clinics can get underway.
AS these new additional COM
munity guidance centers or men,
tai health clinics come into be-
ing, they will render direct serv-
ice in prevention and treatment
of mental illness, furthering the
scope of the Divisions attack on
the overall problem.
Research
Considerable valuable and sig
nificant research is underway
throughout the Division of Men
tai Hygiene. It will be possible to
continue the research projects
now in process and permit some
new developments.
The Three Psychiatrie Institutes
The 101st General Assembly, in
1855, authorized the establish
ment of three psychiatric insti-
tutes which supplemented Q) the
professional training program
with special emphasis in psychia-
try, and professional and sub
professional d~isciplines . related
to p%sychiatry; ca a program of
research; and (3) a program of
public information and proven
ton in mental health. The Co.
lumbus, Cleveland and Rollman
Receiving Hospitals which were
designated by legislation to be-
come psychiatric training insti-
tutes, have continued to serve as
regular service hospitals and in
each case their patient intake and
turnover has increased. The ap-
preparations for these specific in
stitutes are higher so that some
additional numbers of profess
sional and non-professional peo-
pie may be employed during the
next biennium.
Other Mental Hygiene Services
This appropriation covers the
additional % institutions. They
are the state hospitals, receiving
hospitals, and state schools for
the mentally retarded. This is the
large operation of the Division of
Mental Hygiene and accounts for
the bulk of the funds appropri-
ated. Here is where practically no
additional personnel can be add
ed during the next biennium.
This was recognized by the Di-
vision of Mental Hygiene as a
serious situation and was the
basis for a great deal of concern.
For this reason the Senate Fl
nance Committee was advised by
the officials of the Department of
Mental Hygiene that the appro-
priation bill as passed by the
House would hardly permit the
Division to sustain for the next
biennium the June 80, 1857 level
of personal services in all cate
gories Gas authorized by the Con-
trolling Board, October, 1856.
There are two elements of re-
lief in sight, however. One of
these is the opening of the new
buildings under the construction
program. A specific line item for
the personnel to operate these
new facilities is included in the
appropriation bill. AS these new
buildings open, the institutions
will receive the additional help
necessary for their operation.
The other is that a substantial
increase in the family care bud
get will make possible placement
of a larger number. of patients.
However, the inability to add
social workers to increase this
movement presents a handicap.
Mentally Deficient Youth
A very substantial appropria-
ton was made to provide subsi-
dies for the classes conducted
throughout the state for the men,
tally retarded. For the first year
of the biennium $350,OOO and for
the second year $435, 900 were
made available. This will make it
possible to add approximately 81
classes during the biennium
which will be supported under
this program.
CONTINUED next week)