Welcome to Testimony - Inside Stories of mental health care!

The project started in 1999 when over 50 users or former users of the British Mental healthcare system were filmed talking about their experiences of care between the 1930s and 1985. The interviews are now kept in the archives of the British Library, and are a valuable educational resource for anyone wishing to learn about institutional life from an inside perspective. Now in its second phase, Testimony aims to use this material, both on this website and within a series of exhibitions and events, to increase understanding and challenge attitudes towards those who use mental health services.

You can use this website to research and develop your knowledge. The resource section gives you access to articles on the history of the asylum in the 20th Century and the growth of the Service User movement. Our archive section gives you access to all interview transcripts from the original Testimony archive. There is also an interactive community section, where you can discuss mental health related issues, and find out how you can get involved.

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