Kōrero: Mental health services

In 1956, when this photograph was taken of a training session at Porirua Hospital, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was widely used to treat mental illness. These nurses are helping to restrain the 'patient' (in fact, a nurse playing the role) to protect her from injury during the treatment. At that time treatment was unmodified, but ECT was later administered under anaesthetic and with muscle relaxants. However, in the early 21st century it is a controversial treatment.