Author Jacqueline Leckie speaks to Emile Donovan on RNZ’s Nights about her new book Old Black Cloud: A cultural history of mental depression in Aotearoa New Zealand:
‘“In Aotearoa, most people with depression either soldiered on — often denying their pain, perhaps diverting it through hard work, care for others, their faith or substance abuse — or had the support of whānau, family and friends” - Jacqueline Leckie in Old Black Clouds.
Depression affects people in all cultures but for centuries it has “hidden under the long black cloud of Kiwi denial”, health historian Jacqueline Leckie says.
In her new book Old Black Clouds, Leckie explores how depression has been regarded and disregarded in a country that idealises “being pragmatic and getting on with things”.’
You can listen here.
