Abstract
This study provides a historically informed analysis of mental health treatment from publicly available library press archives and Asylum Museum Archives. Using archival material, the research examines the emergence of disciplinary regimes of mental health treatment in a historical context. Previous historically informed archival work has lacked the philosophical depth and theoretical framework in the formation of current approaches to mental health and offender management. The aim is to expose contemporary service delivery through a reconstruction of the past. The project involved accessing public records of reporting following the introduction of the 1890 Lunacy Act, and the perceived psychic crisis of fin de siècle changes of treatment regimes, from the criminally insane to those in clear need of medical intervention. Immersion in the historical records brings to light and constructs new meaning from existing resources and shares hidden collections of information that might otherwise remain un-accessed and silenced. The approach used was different to previous and conventional approaches and utilised an interpretive thematic analysis by examining the present from the learning of the past, looking at the historical emergence of discourse of therapeutic interventions, and using archival material to illuminate contemporary language and practices in the crossover between mental health and serious offending. This is useful for practitioners, students, academics, policy makers and the general public to understand mental health’s impact on offending and the treatment regimens associated with these challenging areas. It will contribute to opening a wider debate on mental health, wellbeing and community cohesion.
Presenters
Vicky PalmerSenior Lecturer, Department of Social Work, Care and Community / Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom Adam Barnard
Senior Lecturer, Department of Social Work: Care and Community, Nottingham Trent University, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
ARCHIVE, LIBRARY, ASYLUM, MENTAL HEALTH, OFFENDERS, CRIME
