EDITORIAL
PLANS FOR THE
JOURNAL extent on
the last few years, under Dr. Tredgold's editorship, Mental Health was very much expanded and improved. Another period of change is now under way, and has begun with the enlargement of each issue this year to 48 pages (in place of the alternate issues of 48 and 36 pages). New features are also being added, and include the Conference Diary, which we hope will be of practical use to many of our readers. We are also hoping to deal more fully with the great volume of books and pamphlets which are appearing in this field, and the December issue this year is to be a mental health Book Number.
TOURING
For
some
time this
journal
growing
a
v0^m.
^
most
successful
articles
on
and,
following this
Epidemiology
subsequent
issues are to Automation and Leisure, and The Different Family.
Useful
deal
.
ill1'
d*
Subnorm3''1,
source
There are, however, still many ass?' kefS' ciation members, professional libraries and local authority ments who do not subscribe to Health. We believe that their port would not only provide them a useful source of information, *,P would allow this journal to deve eiymore and quickly of Needless to say, the opinions ^ readers would always be welcome ' to how they feel the journal is ^ ing at the present, and how it miS*1 further improved.
Two functions
trying
obtaining
of circulation and support. The nu v ber of articles and letters which we receive for publication shows d&, that Mental Health serves a nee i function, and that it is valued ^ means of communication between f ent groups of people. The policy choosing a theme for each issue has
wor*6^
has been
dePa^j
to serve two different functions?
that of an information sheet for members of N.A.M.H. and its local associations on the one hand, and, on the other, that of a more general publication for articles on mental health topics. These two functions do not always go easily together, particularly within a journal of modest size, and the Editorial Board has felt that a separation would allow both As from February to be done better. 1965, therefore, the General Secretary's Letter and Local Associations news will form a separate newsheet, which is to go to every N.A.M.H. and Local Associations member. The space which this leaves in Mental Health will allow it to develop further as a non-technical journal for both professional workers in the mental health field and for those members of the lay public who have a special interest in the subject. At a later stage it is hoped that the size and layout can be further improved, but these changes will depend to some
Sj,
^
comprehensivK.,
This is
a
time of "Publication
sion", with books and journals pro11 ^ ating in every language and every P of the world. Writing is for comm ^ cation, yet this whole process be in danger of defeating itself, s'nceflIi)' ?
se^s^e
sheer volume may be too much f?r, individual. In this situation, should be a place for the journal presents a selection of information