Alison Watt’s grandmother was diagnosed with ‘puerperal insanity’ and institutionalised not long after giving birth to her father. He didn’t meet her – or know she was alive – until his early 20s.
From left: Doris Taylor, and Meals on Wheels volunteers at work.
National Archives of Australia: A1200 – L22263, L22265, 22266
When Doris Taylor became paralysed, her mother was advised to put her in a Home for Incurables. Instead, Doris helped elect a reforming South Australian premier and founded a national institution.
Why was Susanna Kaysen really hospitalised? Her memoir Girl, Interrupted turns 30 this year. It investigates whether she was ‘mad’, or medicalised for a ‘chaotic’ life that defied gender norms.
Set in a mental health facility, Wakefield shows the advantages of television over feature film, giving scope to explore mental health stories without resorting to caricatures.
Many elderly residents of nursing homes are seeing younger patients move in, often with mental illnesses.
Steve Smith via Getty Images
A neuropsychologist who works in these skilled care facilities describes the changing populations. With COVID-19, many nursing homes are now struggling to stay in business.