In this two-part episode, we discuss the heinous history behind Australian Mental Asylums and the treatment of those suffering from a variety of medical conditions. Starting with the first Australian institute which was built in 1811, join us as we travel through time discussing the evolution of medical theories and treatments.

Please note that this episode is heavy and discusses many themes that may be triggering such as mental illness, suicide, physical and sexual violence, malpractice and medical procedures.

Your mental health is important, and Australia is home to many support services. You are not alone, and you are worthy, if you feel that you need to talk to someone, please consider reaching out to one of the services listed below:
- Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636
- lifeline - 13 11 14
- Black Dog Institue
- MensLine Australia - 1300 78 99 78
- Kidshelpline - 1800 55 1800

Content resources
- Natisha Marina Sands, 2009. Round the bend: a brief history of mental health nursing in Victoria, Australia 1848 to 1950s. Issues in mental health nursing. Informa healthcare. 30:364-371

- The road to recovery – a history of mental health services in Queensland 1859-2009

- Toby Raeburn, Carol Liston, Jarrad Hickmott, Michelle Cleary. 2017. Liverpool “lunatic asylum”: a forgotten chapter in the history of Australian health care. Collegian.1322-7696.

- Philippa Martyr. 2018. “Relaxed and pleasant’: women undergoing leucotomy in Western Australia, 1947-1970. Blog of the Australian Women’s History network.

- Tony Slavotinek. Leucotomy and Psychosurgery. The Rise and Fall of a promising surgical procedure. South Australian Medical Heritage Society Inc. Leucotomy and Psychosurgery (samhs.org.au)

- Electrocshock is torture but is legal for all ages. Citizens commission on human rights Australian National office. Electroshock is Legal for All Ages in NSW | CCHR Australia

- Patrick Clark. 2019. Hip hip horray, ECT turns 80! Australasian psychiatry. Vol 27(1) 53-55

- Ben Pike (2015). Sydney’s shameful asylums: the silent houses of pain where inmates where chained and sadists reigned. Daily Telegrath.

- Richmond Report. 2014. Mental Health Commission of New South Wales.

- Specialised mental health care facilities (2024). Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

- National study of mental health and wellbeing (2023). Australian Bureau of Statistics.

- Carlo Patriarca, Carlo Alfredo Clerici, Stefano Zannella and Carlo Fracticelli. (2021). Ugo Cerletti, Pathologica and electroconvulsive therapy. Pathologica. 113(6): 4810487. Ugo Cerletti, Pathologica and electroconvulsive therapy - PMC (nih.gov)

- Is Gladesville Mental Hospital haunted? Here's what

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This episode of Austranged is hosted, produced and edited by Cal, Dave, Rachel and Stevo. Opening song, 'Shivers in the Shadows' is composed by Victor Lundberg.

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