How do you feel about physician-assisted suicide ?

I wish I had the option in my case.

I can see why it is so heavily regulated, too, though. So much of depression can be environmental. I’d rather see all efforts made to alleviate the persons suffering through proper support before that is an option. But something like that wouldn’t happen here.

I definitely want the option, I've pretty much had enough already but I do ponder if I'd feel differently if they had me better medicated so I was pain free, I'm almost sure I'd still feel the same as I have a lot more to deal with other than pain but it's impossible to know.

When it comes to those suffering from mental illness it's a much trickier subject but having had a friends nephew lose limbs from throwing himself under a train I think on balance if all treatment options have been explored to no avail then it's likely better to allow them assisted suicide rather than have a seriously bodged attempt.

I remember a story of a friend of a friend, who had fought extreme depression their entire life. They exercised this option. Those who knew her agreed it was a mercy.

We tend to think of depression, etc. as mental/mind/ether illness. Given it is based on physical brain chemistry, it is still a physical disease.

Also granted is that depression, etc. can be triggered by external factors which overloads the cortisol, etc. systems. Those with deep knowledge of biochem in the body can help with nutriceuticals. Gut bacteria-biome is recognized as a component as well.

I think it should be an option, but it must be considered very carefully.

It is also legal where I live.

It makes sense; in some cases, the only sensible option.

When it comes to clinical and long standing depression, I hope there has been intervention, on all levels, before it deteriorates to "critical".
Because that would be a tragedy.

As I deal with mental health, it is a very close topic for myself.
I am of two minds, because I have struggled for decades: this is excruciatingly painful.
On the other hand, I still have a little fight left in me.

Oddly enough, I came across an insta account yesterday that shared the life of a young man who's been granted assissted suicide due to his mental health breakdown. He suffered cptsd alongside many severe mental health and high functioning needs.

At first I thought it was incredibly selfish. He has a partner, a huge group of friends, and family that love him. But then I read more into him and could understand why he felt the need to.

I dont want to/cant contemplate if my own child was in that position. It's easier to emphasise with a stranger.

In cases of physical illness, especially after experiencing the suffering of family members, I support physician-assisted suicide. Obviously under tight guidelines but it can be a blessing.

However, mental illness is a complex issue with many shades of grey. The initial questions that come to mind are 1) how can a decision that requires sound mind be put into the hands of someone who may not be of sound mind and 2) what would the guidelines be for establishing what’s considered terminal and appropriate for allowing sufferers to legally act on such a decision.

I find the idea of mentally ill young people having access to physician-assisted suicide particularly troubling. Of course there would be exceptions but overall there are just too many possibilities for improvement and too many cases where with changing circumstances, they could simply change their minds about wanting to die. There’s also every chance that advancements in medical science and increased understanding of the brain will bring about more effective treatments.

I feel this way in part because I’ve suffered with clinical depression for over 40 years and while there are days when I’d be glad to be gone, there are also days when I can find joy in living and reasons to stay alive. So the answer to the question of whether now or anywhere along the line I would have taken advantage of physician-assisted suicide remains for me unclear. Which is why I see the issue as having so many shades of grey and would be very careful about making it a legal option.

My grandfather wished for it, he committed suicide three times whilst in home care of my uncle. Third time and after they were sure to hide all dangerous medicine and sharp materials from him, he cut his veins with a broken plate where he broke after they brought him food in it.
I've had plenty of discussions with him. Truly he wanted this to be available.
It's easier when it's an old person than a child of course. One has to be in their sane mind to make such a decision... which I think for the majority of us really arrives only later in life.

Some people with terminal illnesses see life differently and make sure to be present in every single moment they are given.
But when the individual is decided.. I think there should be the option available.

Now having said all that ... I am not sure I would want to be a nurse and having to follow this protocol and kill someone, even if indirectly and with their own will and have it as part of my work routine really.

Circumstances dictate the reasons. I wouldn't likely prohibite it, yet nor would I encourage it.

Depression is a hard one because the level of depression is so dependent on the reasons for the depression to begin with.

I do know that psychologist have ratings for depression. And I wouldn't recommend that for anything less than severely serious depression levels.

You get to that level, you would already be trying. So it's a matter of what is more painful or cruel.

I do understand there's some concerns on what is more selfish. Perhaps that could be taken with multiple diagnosis. Perhaps nothing less than three different independent diagnosis.

It's hard to say, expecially if its because of depression a lot of us have hit rock bottom and didn't want to be here anymore. But to me everything is temporary and you wont always feel that way.

Now if they have other issue's on top of the depression that would be completely different.

I read someone who done this as she had chronic pain daily, she had a family and young children and for her it must of been unbearable as a mother you wouldnt want to leave your kids at any age but especially not when they are young.

Having lost somethign like 7 aunts and uncles over the last 2 years to cancer, very positive. I think most people come to that conclusion once they have seen a loved one suffer and with to end it all. Obviously the definiiton of when it shold happen is the detail containing the devil of the problem - complexity. I alos lost a second kid cousin last year to cancer as well. Any clues as to how I die in all that ...?

I am opposed to it. I had first hand experience with Dr. K's ghoulish cult of suicide warriors. In their case it was about harvesting body parts for transplants. There was nothing honorable, caring, nor selective about it. They actively recruited "patients" with questionable diagnosis of terminal illnesses to refine their "process". None of us are getting out of here alive, in that sense we are all terminal. Where do you draw the line?

There is a slippery slope that pushes us to the lowest common denominator. I don't trust those who would decide when it is time, nor do I trust their motivation. I know the patient, despondent and/or wracked with pain is NOT in the state of mind to make that decision. I have talked more than a few down from committing suicide. Some even thanked me for it afterward.

I am not opposed to deciding not to take extraordinary measures to prolong life when death is immanent. I am strongly opposed to hurrying it along.

This is obviously a very personal decision. I’ve heard some concern that such people may not be “in their right mind”. If they are suffering some incurable physical disease that results in pain that cannot be eased or a complete loss of their dignity, I think that’s a decision they should be able to make. It is definitely a more difficult matter where mental health issues are involved.

I cant even bring myself to think about this, because its from selfish reasons of not wanting to lose that person, rather than from the standpoint of why they want to do it or why they may be suffering. In my line of work i always hear the sick and elderly say that they want to die, about a month ago i had a client who was literally praying and begging to die on a Sunday night, i sat by her bedside with her saying please Lord i want to die please let me die! i went home Monday morning & woke up that evening to the news that she'd died. I was thankful that she died after i had already left because she had become a close friend and that one hit me harder than all the others.

I'm in favor, even it it was a loved one, purely because if someone's seriously considering it and cannot be talked out of it, it's not the means available that'll make a difference, they'll still try a "DYI" approach, and potentially fail - resulting in an agonious permanent disability or even vegetative state. And even if they're successful, chances are that their last moments will be atrocious. I'd rather them have a painless, medically assisted, and mathematically-certain way out.

It's being hotly debated in the UK.

A private members Bill (Introduced to the house by an individual mp) had a whole day of debate recently. This is unusual to start and no party is enforcing a whip so finally democracy at work for a change.



However there is discussion to remove the judge from this now. It's a long way from law yet.

I don't think depression is a reason for physician assisted suicide. But I'm all for it for terminal illness. I watched someone I love dying from cancer it was just waiting for the end while she suffered.

I wouldn't want to be that old dog suffering that can't walk, can't go bathroom, and can't eat without a use of machines or meds, but my owners refuse to take me out to the woods for the one last walk and shot me and put me out misery.

They rather see me suffer in pain for their personal reasons.

So if people can their pets to sleep AKA physician-assisted suicide, why not for humans?

I've already told my kids to take me out woods for the that last walk.

I refuse to government and big pharma bullshill. I came into world all natural and that's how I plain on leaving it. Not in some nursing home or hospital hooked up to to a machine.

I'm already started making my plans and making my peace. My kids won't have nothing to worry about.

It's none of my business....but if it really helps, hopefully people that are that sick and their families are able to find peace.

This was a brave subject to bring up Bijoux Brossard. Well done.

I think if it was reachable to depressed people, there would have to be a very strict and thorough psychological and life review. Alot of people get depressed and think they should kill themselves, there are few that actually should.

It would be nice if it was an option... Coupled with lots of therapy and help first...

I would be in favor of keeping it limited to people with terminal medical diagnoses.

I don't have the conscience, I can't.

Give it to me now,.

This is too sad to even contemplate. 😢