Fostering Open Communication About Sexual Concerns in a Mental Hospital

Homosexual acting out by young patients on a mental hospital ward prompted the staff to plan a sex education program that would provide basic information on human sexuality and foster more open communication about sexual concerns. However, anxiety over who should conduct it pointed up the need for such a program for staff. Two seminars were subsequently held, the first for staff, the second for patients. The seminars helped reduce anxiety about human sexuality, and enabled staff to deal more comfortably with sexual problems on the ward, They also demonstrated that an open, frank group approach can be handled by patients and by a staff without any expertise in sex education or group work.