Sexuality Education in a State Mental Hospital

The issue of whether sex education programs should be offered in public psychiatric facilities is delicate and complex. It raises a number of questions about the sexual rights of patients and whether the programs help or harm them. The authors discuss such issues and describe a sex education program for patients in the adult transitional living program at Western State Hospital. They believe such a program is necessary for patients who will be released from the hospital and thus expected to cope with the complexities of society. Staff members also attended educational sessions to give them an opportunity to discuss sexual issues. Recommendations for others interested in setting up a sex education program are included.