How do you feel about physician-assisted suicide ?

It is legal where I live, with very specific guidelines; it has to be part of the person’s advance directive, but the person must be terminally ill and facing death within a relatively short amount of time.

Some people want to extend its reach to emotional or mental illnesses, like clinical depression. Occasionally I’ve seen people here express support for including such conditions.

I always want to ask them, "would you be okay if it were your child or a young person you care about who wanted a doctor to help them suicide due to depression ?"

Because I know that would break my heart and I would be trying to save my niece or my godchildren in that instance. 😭

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being · 36-40, F

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.

Captain · 61-69, M

@being Thats why specialist clinics are a good idea.

bijouxbroussard · F

@being Here, it must be a physician, and they don’t do it themselves but give the patient the means and monitor them.

being · 36-40, F

@bijouxbroussard that sounds like the best way to handle it..
My grandfather has asked for this but there was no such an option.