Milford chronicle., 1959-11-20
Discussed At u. of ID.
Mental Health Is

Increased expenditures of Fed
eral, state and private funds for
mental health education and re-
search have brought this import
ant topic to the attention of en-
tightening citizens everywhere.
Although the University of Della
ware is not a hospital or sanitar-
ium, the problems of mental health,
as they relate to undergraduates
or to the seriously i'll, are matters
of concern to its faculty and stu
dent body.
To assist it's students the univer-
sity employs a psychiatric consul
tant, Dr. James A. Flaherty, who
meets with professional cOunselOrs,
with dormitory counselors and
house directors, and with student
junior cOunselors in an effort to
provide insights on their relation
ships with undergraduates. He also
is available for personal confer
ences with individual students.
The three professionally trained
counseIors, employed in the office
of the dean of students, consult
with students on career plans, ed
ucational and personal problems.
Each year about one-fifth of the
total undergraduate student body
seeks conferences with these coun-
selOrss on their own initiative or by
referral from other persons on the
campus.
In teaching, the university offers
number of courses related to the
mental health field. Mental hy-
giene, psychological measurement,
developmental psychology, abnor-
NAL psychology, learning and mo-
tivation, and clinical psychology
have a definite bearing on mental
health. Courses such as advanced
human development and education
for the exceptional child also are
related and a masters degree pro-
gram in education is especially de-
signed to prepare the student for
guidance and counseling. While
these courses and the degree pro-
gram do not specifically prepare
the student for clinical work, they
do provide a better understanding
of mental health issues.
Delaware's professors are not
therapists, but many of them are
able to recognize difficulties and
recommend proper help. Students
who have an incapacitating illness,
mental or physical, are urged to
withdraw from the university, seek
appropriate treatment, and return
when they are able to perform
with optimum success. When this
action is necessary advice is fire.
quently offered with respect to
proper treatment and the university
has enjoyed excellent relationship
with health agencies throughout
the state.
Delaware's faculty has long been
interested in research related to
the mental health field. The u. S.
Army, the U. S. Department of Pub
lie Health and the Mental Research
Commission of the State of Della
ware have sponsored research pro-
jects in this area. Dr. Halsey Mac
Phee, chairman of the psychology
department, has been a member of
the steering committee of the psy-
chOlogy division of the Southern
Regional Education Board which
has conducted a number of signif-
icant projects in mental health re-
search. Delaware's Psychology Club
and Psi Chi have sponsored pro-
grams on mental health during
statewide mental health week.
The University of Delaware's
faculty and students are aware of
the problems of mental health in
our society. While attention is. pri-
marily focused on the education
and training of the healthy individ-
ual, the problems of those with
mental disorders are not ignored.
1t is the conviction of the faculty
that adjustment to the stresses of
modern living require not only ac-
curate knowledge of oneself and
of our society, but experience
gained from handling ones own
problems. The university is a
friendly place, offering help when
necessary. Overprotection and over
solicitude would, it is believed,
deprive students of the opportunity
to develop character and maturity
through self-initiated and self