Ghostly figures in an old mental asylum hallway, representing the untold stories of Aboriginal patients.

Unmasking the Past: Aboriginal Mental Health in Early 20th Century Australia

Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A look at historical mental health data reveals insights into the experiences of Aboriginal people in Western Australian mental hospitals from 1903-1966 and challenges modern perceptions."

Mental health disparities between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians persist today. Understanding the historical context of these disparities is crucial for developing culturally appropriate and effective mental healthcare solutions. However, knowledge about Aboriginal involvement with mental health services since white contact remains limited.

This article seeks to address this gap by examining historical data on Aboriginal admissions to public mental health services in Western Australia during the first half of the twentieth century. By analyzing admissions registers, newspaper reports, government inquiries, and oral histories, the article aims to create a historical profile of Aboriginal experiences within the mental health system and provide further insights into their lived experiences.

It's important to acknowledge the limitations of historical records, particularly the absence of Aboriginal voices and the potential for biased perspectives. Nevertheless, this research offers a valuable glimpse into a largely unexplored aspect of Australian history, providing a foundation for a more nuanced understanding of Aboriginal mental health and well-being.

Aboriginal Experiences in Mental Hospitals: Unveiling the Data

Ghostly figures in an old mental asylum hallway, representing the untold stories of Aboriginal patients.

Between 1903 and 1966, researchers identified 164 admissions of Aboriginal individuals to Claremont and Heathcote mental hospitals in Western Australia. While this represents a small percentage (0.44%) of total admissions, it is crucial to analyze this figure within the context of the estimated Aboriginal population at the time.

Key findings from the data analysis reveal several trends:

Lower Admission Rates: Aboriginal people had a significantly lower average admission rate (1.17 per 1,000 people) compared to non-Aboriginal people (8.57 per 1,000).
Youthful Admissions: The median age at admission was relatively young, with 31 years for males and 25 years for females.
Limited Religious Data: Religious affiliation was poorly recorded, and in its absence, staff presumed Aboriginal patient had no religious beliefs, if beliefs were recorded they are registered as, native’, ‘pagan’, or ‘atheist’.
High Rates of Physical Illness: A significant proportion of Aboriginal admissions (35.9%) had a primary diagnosis of a physical or organic disorder.
Common Psychiatric Diagnoses: psychosis-related, with the exception of the eight admissions with melancholia. Females were more likely to be admitted with schizophrenia-type diagnoses.
High Mortality Rates: Around half of all Aboriginal admissions eventually died in Claremont.
Impact of Removal: Aboriginal people have a traditionally close relationship with ‘country, In this context, removal from country would contribute to poorer mental health outcomes.

The researchers also emphasize the challenges in interpreting this data due to inconsistent record-keeping practices, potential biases in diagnoses, and the destruction of individual case notes. These factors make it difficult to fully understand the experiences and perspectives of Aboriginal patients within the mental health system.

Navigating the Past, Shaping the Future

Despite the limitations of the available data, this research provides valuable insights into the historical experiences of Aboriginal people within the Western Australian mental health system. The findings highlight the disparities in access to care, the impact of colonial policies, and the importance of understanding the social and cultural context of mental illness.

Moving forward, it is crucial to address the gaps in historical data and incorporate Aboriginal voices into the narrative. Further research is needed to explore the role of institutionalized racism, the experiences of Aboriginal people in other institutional settings, and the effectiveness of culturally appropriate mental health interventions.

By acknowledging the past, promoting reconciliation, and working in partnership with Aboriginal communities, we can create a more equitable and culturally responsive mental health system that meets the unique needs of all Australians.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1093/shm/hkx006, Alternate LINK

Title: Aboriginal People In Western Australian Mental Hospitals, 1903–1966

Subject: History

Journal: Social History of Medicine

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Authors: Philippa Martyr, Sophie Davison

Published: 2017-06-03

Everything You Need To Know

According to the historical data, how did the admission rates of Aboriginal people to mental hospitals compare to those of non-Aboriginal people in Western Australia?

Historical records show that Aboriginal people admitted to Claremont and Heathcote mental hospitals between 1903 and 1966 had a notably lower admission rate (1.17 per 1,000 people) compared to non-Aboriginal people (8.57 per 1,000). However, this figure must be considered alongside the estimated Aboriginal population at the time and factors such as access to care and potential biases in the system. The rate should not imply better mental health, but possibly reduced access to the facilities.

What were some of the most common diagnoses recorded for Aboriginal people admitted to mental hospitals, and were there any notable differences between men and women?

The records from Claremont and Heathcote mental hospitals indicate that a significant proportion (35.9%) of Aboriginal admissions had a primary diagnosis of a physical or organic disorder. Additionally, psychosis-related diagnoses were common, with females more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia-type illnesses. It's important to acknowledge that these diagnoses may reflect the limited understanding and potential biases of the medical professionals at the time, and the data shows limited religious data recorded, leading staff to assume no religious beliefs. Individual experiences can not be extrapolated from the data.

How might the policy of removing Aboriginal people from their 'country' have impacted their mental health and well-being, particularly in the context of institutionalization?

The research emphasizes that Aboriginal people have a traditionally close relationship with ‘country’. Therefore, the forced removal from their ancestral lands and communities likely contributed to poorer mental health outcomes for those admitted to Claremont and Heathcote mental hospitals. This displacement disrupted their social structures, cultural practices, and spiritual connections, exacerbating their mental health challenges. The severing of these ties would have had long-lasting psychological and emotional effects.

What does the research reveal about the mortality rates of Aboriginal people admitted to mental hospitals, and what factors might have contributed to these rates?

Despite the lower admission rates to Claremont and Heathcote mental hospitals, the research indicates that around half of all Aboriginal people admitted to the hospitals eventually died there. This high mortality rate suggests potentially inadequate care, the presence of co-occurring physical health conditions, or the overall impact of institutionalization on a population already facing significant social and cultural challenges. The data warrants further investigation into the specific causes of death and the quality of care provided.

What are some of the limitations and challenges in interpreting historical mental health data related to Aboriginal people, and how do these limitations affect our understanding of their experiences?

Interpreting historical mental health data for Aboriginal people presents considerable challenges. The research highlights issues such as inconsistent record-keeping practices at Claremont and Heathcote, potential biases in diagnoses made by medical professionals of the time, and the destruction of individual case notes. Furthermore, the absence of Aboriginal voices and perspectives within these records limits our ability to fully understand their experiences and the true nature of their mental health challenges. Oral histories have been included in this research to provide some balance to the historic records.