E110 - Is Sectioning People Ethical? Mental Health Law, Capacity, Assisted Dying, the Insanity Defence (w/ Alex Ruck Keene)

Alex Ruck Keene KC (Hon) is a barrister at 39 Essex Chambers in London, specializing in mental capacity, mental health, and healthcare law. 

In recognition of his significant contributions beyond the courtroom, Alex was appointed Honorary King's Counsel in March 2022. Beyond his legal practice, Alex is involved in academia and policy development. He serves as a Professor of Practice at the Dickson Poon School of Law, King's College London, and as a Visiting Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King's College London. 

Alex has been instrumental in shaping mental health and capacity law policy. He was a consultant to the Law Commission's Mental Capacity and Deprivation of Liberty Project and served as the legal adviser to the Independent Review of the Mental Health Act 1983 in 2018. 

Today we discuss:

What is the purpose of the mental health act? 

What does it mean to be sectioned? 

What are the safeguards and appeals available to sectioned patients? 

How to think about complex questions legally like suicide and assisted dying 

The pressures mental health professionals face when making legal decisions 

What is  the legal concept of “Capacity”? 

Warning: This conversation includes frank discussion about serious matters such as suicide and assisted dying. 

You can find out more about Alex's work here: https://www.mentalcapacitylawandpolicy.org.uk/about-the-author/

Further accessible resources regarding the mental health act: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/legal-rights/mental-health-act-1983/mental-health-act-faqs/

Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Alex is a consultant psychiatrist and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training.

If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email [email protected] with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line.

Alex is not currently taking on new psychotherapy clients, if you are interested in working with Alex for focused behaviour change coaching , you can email - [email protected] with "Coaching" in the subject line.

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Give feedback here - [email protected] Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast