SOCIAL CLUBS FOR THE MENTALLY-ILL - VIEW OF CLUB VISITORS

55 visitors from five recreation and social clubs for mentally ill cli ents have been described, related to some sociographic data including the number of times the club is frequented, the duration of membership in the club as well as the source of information. They were asked to give their opinions on the frequency and the duration of the meetings and the quality of the clubrooms, the care and the programmes. They gi ve the reasons for attending the clubs and the resulting main effects. They make wishes and complaints about the clubs. The results of the q uestioning are compared to the description of tasks and aims of clubs as seen from the professional point of view in order to find conformit ies and/or differences. On the whole a consensus is to be seen. Differ ences can be ascertained, where the professional aim is mainly of ther apeutic nature. Such a target does not meet the needs of the visitors. For them the social aspect is of main importance in a surrounding off ering protection, acceptance, understanding and support.