23 JANUARY 1959, Page 20

MENTAL HEALTH

SIR,—The letter from the chairman of the Mental After Care Association pinpoints a very serious defect in the new Mental Health Bill. I have myself been campaigning in a small way for the provision of suitable hostels for psychiatric patients who could leave hospital if only there was somewhere for them to go. I have received scores of letters from patients and ex-patients, all pointing out that the mental patient's biggest struggle comes after he leaves hospital. My awareness of this fact is intensified by my work (voluntary) as provincial secretary of Neurotics Nominee.

Yes, many more hostels are desperately needed. If any of your readers care to write to me I will do all I can to co-ordinate our collective wills into seeing that something is done about this.—Yours faithfully, J. HOUSDEN 20 Peak Hill Gardens, Sydenham, SE26