Old Black Cloud

A social history exploring mental depression in Aotearoa New Zealand through a cultural and historical lens.

Mental depression is a serious issue in contemporary New Zealand. This social history analyzes its medical, cultural, and social contexts through a historical lens. Using historic patient records as a starting place, and informed by personal experience, this book interrogates how depression was medicalized and treated, and how New Zealanders have lived with it.

From detailing its links to melancholia and explaining its expression within Indigenous and migrant communities, Old Black Cloud offers a nuanced understanding of mental health in Aotearoa. Discover:
The historical context of depression in New ZealandCultural variations in experiencing and expressing depressionThe treatment of mental illness in New ZealandExperiences of different ethnic groups with depressionSocial and economic factors contributing to depression
Perfect for academics, students, and general readers interested in social history, mental health, and New Zealand history. Explore the hidden history of mental health in Aotearoa.