Jaroslav Skála

Infobox Person
name = Jaroslav Skála


image_size = 100px
caption = Dr Jaroslav Skála
birth_date = 25 May 1916
birth_place = Plzeň, Austria-Hungary
death_date = 26 November 2007
death_place = Prague, Czech Republic
education = Charles University
occupation = Psychiatrist
spouse =
parents =
children =

Jaroslav Skála (25 May 1916 – 26 November 2007) was a Czech psychiatrist, fighter against alcoholism, and inventor of the sobering-up station. [ [http://www.lidovky.cz/zemrel-otec-zachytek-0rx-/ln_domov.asp?c=A071126_113804_ln_domov_nev Zemřel otec záchytek] ]

Life

Skála was born in Plzeň, Bohemia, when it was part of Austria-Hungary. He studied under Charles University's medical faculty in Prague [ [http://aktualne.centrum.cz/domaci/zivot-v-cesku/clanek.phtml?id=514948 Zemřel vynálezce záchytek Jaroslav Skála] ] , as well as at the institute of physical training and sport. He graduated from the institute in 1939, but was unable to graduate from the university until 1946 because the German occupation of Czechoslovakia closed all Czechoslovak universities during World War II.

Skála wanted to work at an internal clinic and later at the institute of physical training medicine, but he was rejected. He took up work at the Prague's psychiatric clinic. Later in 1946, Skála was sent to an international conference about alcoholism in Brussels, [ [http://aktualne.centrum.cz/domaci/zivot-v-cesku/clanek.phtml?id=514948 Zemřel vynálezce záchytek Jaroslav Skála] ] an event which determined his later steps in medicine. He established KLUS, [ [http://www.tyden.cz/rubriky/lide/nekrology/zemrel-zakladatel-prvni-protialkoholni-stanice-na-svete_32181.html Tyden about Jaroslav Skala] ] an alcohol rehabilitation group, and cooperated with the United States' Alcoholics Anonymous. However, events in Czechoslovakia in 1948 broke all links to the west. [ [http://aktualne.centrum.cz/domaci/zivot-v-cesku/clanek.phtml?id=514948 Zemřel vynálezce záchytek Jaroslav Skála] ]

Skála moved from Prague's psychiatric clinic to a new building near the church of Saint Apollinaris. He organized a new anti-alcoholism department, which he headed until his retirement in 1982.

In 1951, Skála invented a sobering-up station, [ [http://www.radio.cz/cz/clanek/79068 Docent Skála, zakladatel první české záchytky, slaví 90. narozeniny, Zdeňka Kuchyňová] ] the first facility of this kind in the world. He engaged in research and cure of toxicomania, drug addiction, and alcoholism. He also practiced psychotherapy and family therapy. In 1956, he established a 'section for questions about alcoholism' and headed it until 1981. In 1993, he was a co-founder of the 'society for habit-forming diseases'. In 2001, he was a co-founder of Prague's University of Psychosocial Studies and became its chancellor.

Since 1968, Skála founded over 20 training communities that help people to find a new way in life. He emphasized sports in his studies and in his life. Since 1932, he was an active sportsman and actively attend Sokol.

Skála became one of the most important people of Czechoslovak psychiatry. His methods were the base for two films, "Ikarův pád" (Fall of Icarus) [ [http://www.csfd.cz/film/121879-ikaruv-pad/ Fall of Icarus] ] and "Tažní ptáci" (Ductile Birds). [ [http://www.csfd.cz/film/121880-tazni-ptaci/ Ductile Birds] ] In 2002 Skála received the medal of merit for his lifetime work from the Czech Republic's president, Václav Havel. [ [http://www.hrad.cz/cms/cz/statni_vyznamenani/med_zasluhy_seznam.shtml List of decorated people] ]

Skála died in 2007 by natural causes at the age of 91. [ [http://www.lidovky.cz/zemrel-otec-zachytek-0rx-/ln_domov.asp?c=A071126_113804_ln_domov_nev Zemřel otec záchytek] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.rodinaonline.cz/archiv/2003/13/skala.htm Our Family] cs icon
* [http://www.radio.cz/cz/clanek/79068 Czech Broadcast Radio] cs icon
* [http://www.argo.cz/autori/55218/skala-jaroslav/ Doctor's marathon] cs icon