Birmingham: Madness, Mania and Melancholia: The Mental Health of our Ancestors

Madness, Mania and Melancholia: The Mental Health of our Ancestors

Presenter Dr Janet Few

The history of mental ill-health is poorly understood and many of those who were labelled as ‘idiots’, ‘imbeciles’ or ‘lunatics’ in the past would have a very different diagnosis today. This presentation looks at the history of reactions to and the treatment of those who we would now recognise as being mentally ill, or as having a learning disability. It also investigates the institutions where sufferers might be held and the sources we can use to find out more about these, often forgotten, members of our family.

Janet is an experienced and qualified family, social and community historian who lectures regularly on these subjects throughout the UK and overseas. She has spoken at many national and international genealogical events and is also a well-known author and President of the Family History Federation

This will be a Hybrid Meeting, taking place in the Birmingham meeting rooms and virtually. More details to follow.