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Ascribe High Rate of Mental Disorders Among Melbourne Jews to Nazi Victims

September 12, 1968
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A high rate of mental disorders among Jews of Melbourne was disclosed in figures published today by the Mental Hygiene Authority of Victoria. The report noted however, that a high percentage of Melbourne Jews are survivors of Nazi concentration camps who immigrated here and who are the main sufferers. The figures showed 330 Jewish mental patients for every 10,000 citizens compared to a 155 to 10,000 ratio for non-Jews. But the incidence of mental illness among Jews may be higher since the figures did not cover private patients among whom there are believed to be more Jews than non-Jews. The report showed however that the high rate of mental disease among Jews did not hold true for such disorders as alcoholism and senility.

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