DoP Seminar - Dr Sally Marlow

We are delighted that Dr Sally Marlow will be discussing her new documentary with us, ‘Bound to the Mast’, which will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4, May 17th at 4pm: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0017cmj

This documentary looks at the principles and implementation of advance decision making about mental health treatment.  Changes to existing procedures are expected to be included in the imminent reforms of the Mental Health Act.  While the documentary considers advance choice generally, it also looks at one optional element, so-called “self-binding” or “Ulysses Contracts”, where people when well bind in advance to treatment choices they know they will refuse when unwell.  These will most likely not be included in the legislative changes – they are controversial and will be difficult to implement.  However, they are expected to be widely used.  

In this presentation, Dr Sally Marlow will use Bound to the Mast as a case study, talking through the process of coming up with an idea, how to best pitch your ideas to the media, and turning it into a documentary.  She will also discuss the challenges of working to different ethical and safeguarding standards as the media partner, success rates, and ensuring that the finished product reduces stigma rather than adds to it.

Dr Sally Marlow is an Engagement and Impact Fellow at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London.  She has made 15 documentaries for BBC Radio 3, Radio 4 and the World Service.  Her own research interests include mental health and the arts, and addiction – her PhD was in Addiction Science.