Crime Solicitors

Mental health charity cyclist Christian Smith has been killed in a road accident on a 24-hour charity bike ride.

Mr Smith from Boughton Aulph near Ashford in Kent was cycling to raise money for mental health charity Mind when the accident occurred a 4am on Saturday (22/03/14) on the A2990 on Old Thanet Way near Chestfield in Whitstable.

BBC News reports that an 18-year-old female motorist driving a Peugeot 206 has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and causing death by dangerous driving.

It is reported the driver has been bailed until 26 July pending an investigation into the accident.

The 248-mile Kent Epic charity bike ride had set out on Friday to cover Kent and Sussex.

Mr Smith had said that he had signed up to the bike ride to help raise awareness of mental health conditions and help end the stigma of mental health.

“I have had my own misfortune to suffer from a spate of poor mental health which was unexpected and has been a real game changer in how I now view the future,” Mr Smith wrote on the donation website Just Giving.

Mr Smith added that he had been fortunate to have the support of his family and friends in dealing with his mental health issues, although it had been “tough”.

Donations to Mind made following Mr Smith’s death reached £1,300 by Sunday morning and had topped £11,000 by 3pm that day. Mr Smith’s target had been to raise £1,000 for the mental health charity.

Chief executive of Mind Paul Farmer said:

“We were shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of Christian Smith. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this extremely difficult time.

“Mind is grateful for the continues dedication of all our fundraisers, without whom we would not be able to support the hundreds of thousands of people affected by mental health problems across England and Wales.”

It is estimated that one in four people will suffer from a mental health problem every year.

All three main political parties have underlined the importance of mental health services - with Labour leader Ed Miliband speaking of the mental health issues he experienced after the death of his father Ralph Miliband and for which the Labour leader received counselling.

However, mental health services across the country are being subjected to budget cuts - with some mental health trusts such as the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust slashing budgets by 20%.

Mental health patients in both Norfolk and Suffolk and in York City have campaigned against cuts to mental health budgets, which in some parts of the country have led to long waiting lists for treatment for patients with mental health conditions.

The government is championing more talk-based therapies for mild to moderate mental health conditions such as depression - as well as more supported treatment for mental health patients in their homes to prevent unnecessary institutionalised treatment.

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of specialist mental health solicitors and can advise mental health patients on issues such as access to mental health services and detention under the Mental Health Act 1983.

Duncan Lewis is also a leading Legal Aid solicitors and in some cases may be able to advise the next of kin or carer of a mental health patient, including initiating treatment reviews where appropriate.

For expert help with mental health law contact the Duncan Lewis Mental health Solicitors’ Helpline on 0203 114 1124.