***Distressing content warning***

Sidney Frank Neilson is of Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Porou descent and was at Porirua Hospital between the ages of 19 and 42 (1973–1996) under the Mental Health Act. He experienced extensive ECT, overmedicalisation, physical abuse, neglect, and racism. For most of his time at Porirua Hospital, there were no kaupapa Māori mental health services, which impacted Sidney’s recovery. Sidney and his sister, Cherene, spoke about his time at Porirua and how it impacted both Sidney and his whānau. They also spoke on the changes needed in the mental health system, namely a by Māori, for Māori approach.   

Witness Statement