Brendan Kelly

Biography

I am Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin and Consultant Psychiatrist at Tallaght Hospital. In addition to my medical degree (MB BCh BAO), I hold masters degrees in epidemiology (MSc), healthcare management (MA) and Buddhist studies (MA); and doctorates in medicine (MD), history (PhD), governance (DGov) and law (PhD). I have authored and co-authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications and 400 non-peer-reviewed publications. These cover a range of themes relating to mental health, law, history and related topics. My most recent book is 'Hearing Voices: The History of Psychiatry in Ireland' (Irish Academic Press, 2016). I've written two books on human rights and mental health law: Dignity, Mental Health and Human Rights: Coercion and the Law (Routledge, 2015) and Mental Illness, Human Rights and the Law (RCPsych Books, 2016). I co-authored, with Professor Patricia Casey, the third edition of Fish's Clinical Psychopathology (RCPsych Books, 2007), the best-selling book published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. My other recent books on historical themes include Custody, Care and Criminality: Forensic Psychiatry and Law in 19th-Century Ireland (History Press Ireland, 2014), Ada English: Patriot and Psychiatrist (Irish Academic Press, 2014) and "He Lost Himself Completely": Shell Shock and its Treatment at Dublin's Richmond War Hospital (1916-19) (Liffey Press, 2014). My research interests include the epidemiology of psychosis, mental health services, the history of psychiatry, and human rights in mental health. I am most interested in the extent to which persons with mental illness participate in civic and social life, and the barriers they and their families face in exercising their rights, including economic and social rights. I contribute frequently to print and broadcast media, and write regularly for the medical press.

Research Interest

COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH; COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES; equality issues for mental health service users; Forensic mental health issues; HISTORY OF MEDICINE; Human Rights; MENTAL HEALTH LEGISLATION; MENTAL HEALTH LEGISLATION AND JURISPRUDENCE; MENTAL-HEALTH ACT; MENTAL-HEALTH POLICY