Assisted suicide offered to homeless people in Canada

[gnarlynarwhal]

I came across an article online about this earlier today and I’m shocked this is seen as acceptable by so many people in Canada. It’s advertised on the tv over there as if it’s a perfectly acceptable thing to do. The National Post is claiming that one third of Canadians think that it’s perfectly acceptable to approve medical assistance in dying ‘MAID’ to healthy people purely because they are impoverished. I find it really saddening.

Do I think only rich people should be allowed a dignified death? No. I think there should be extremely stringent safeguards around who is allowed to access assisted suicide. And I do think there should be a hefty price, even if it might in rare cases be paid by e.g. a local authority, as a huge cost would deter some exploitation.

But I don't think that anyone should be assisted to kill themselves just because they want to die.

Do you think a 17 year old girl who's fallen out with her best friend and is getting harrassed on social media should be able to walk into a clinic and be helped to end her life?

Or, to riff off your example, should a 17 year old girl who's fallen pregnant be able to walk into a clinic and be helped to end her life?

Is this actually a society you would want to live in?

Can I point out that the people in the poll saying that they agreed, were agreeing to MAID for people who had asked for it. They weren't advocating going out, finding a random homeless person, and offering MAID to them.

It's a great example of a misleading newspaper article.

Yes...My husband died 3 years ago. I just wanted to die too. I'm wondering what would have happened if I'd been a resident of Canada.

No-one going to accuse the OP of being a 'conspiracy theorist' then?

And that would be misleading, if OP hadn't clarified in the OP. But she did clarify.

Assisted suicide should exist. Any human should have autonomy. Bodily choices should include when to die.

Also, mostly because it’s preferable for the family to know it’s not an horrific death as some suicides can be even more traumatic (eg hanging) or a painful one; and family knowing that the loved one was in control and made a choice can lessen that pain and lessen trauma. (Thinking of those who find the bodies of suicide)

however, gatekeeping is a necessity.

under 25 should immediately bar you from accessing it unless you have an incurable disease that is incredibly limiting and would get progressively worse quite quickly.

in all cases two doctors minimum should sign off that you’re capable of making the decision to die and support/therapy prior to rule out any other issues that could be solved in other ways are addressed first must be happen. this should not be rushed.

I’d hate to think of someone struggling with debt or addiction going this route and actual solutions to solve it not offered.

though I can see the trade offs too.

we offer this service as a humane option would this mean those who feel like a burden would choose this rather than living out their full life span?

how would we deal with newly diagnosed dementia patients who are In the early days but the diagnosis means they don’t have capacity? I say this because dementia is a big fear of mine. I don’t want anyone to see my body or brain fail like that. I certainly don’t want my child to care for me.

How do we prevent coercion and coercion for financial gain?

I don’t think the U.K. is ready to implement this. Not yet. We do not have a robust enough mental health service to take on lengthy support. Let alone ensure those choosing death are well looked after

Clearly most posters here haven't actually read the poll. Read more than a headline before forming an opinion people.

To try and clear this up, somewhat.

Currently, only terminally ill people are eligible for medically assisted deaths in Canada.

After a successful court challenge, this will be opened up to certain people who are not terminally ill, provided that they have a “grievous and irremediable medical condition” (which could be a mental health condition).

So, no, an 18 year old with depression would not be eligible.

28% of Canadians said they agree with assisted suicide if somebody is homeless/ in poverty, but actually 20% said they agree with assisted suicide for everybody regardless of their situations. So really only 8% of Canadians think homelessness/ poverty is a good reason but don’t also believe all reasons are good reasons, the other 20% clearly would have ticked ‘yes’ for every option on the survey.

Personally I am on the side of the 20% - if somebody wants to die they should be allowed to be assisted to die regardless of why they want to die. If somebody doesn’t want to live I don’t believe they should have to but trying to commit suicide is so risky, I have been actively suicidal in the past, I failed attempts and wished there was a way to do it safely without the risks of surviving and even worse the risk of surviving but causing long term damage. I’m not actively suicidal now but equally I am not relieved I didn’t manage to commit suicide on the few times I attempted and failed, my life isn’t particularly worth living I’m just able to tolerate it right now enough that I don’t want to risk a failed suicide attempt again.

If there was a safe, guaranteed legal way to help anybody end their life regardless of any external factors I would fully support that. That said I would probably suggest that where there isn’t a terminal illness the person who is suicidal should be offered medication and therapy and should have to wait at least 6 months or maybe even a year from their initial suicide request to have it approved, obviously the possibility of someone just wanting suicide as an immediate reaction to a circumstance that can be changed or treated shouldn’t be ignored but if someone does want to die ultimately I feel like their life, their choice.

Great question. Depression is not terminal. You can recover at any time. I was depressed for over 15 years (suicidal on and off) - now solidly depression free for a good 5+ years.

Condolences re your husband but the answer is - nothing - nothing would have happened.

I agree with assisted suicide in principal. In the case of homeless people. Absolutely yes, there should be support with housing, MH etc. But that's not happening. Anywhere. Every country has homeless people. Many of whom, sadly, will never have a better life. If they chose assisted suicide over continuing on, then I do think they should have the option. As I think everyone should. I mean really, the fact it would make people (who probably lead much nicer/happier lives than them) "uncomfortable" shouldn't in itself be a reason not to allow it. All that being said, of course I do see the issues with it.

The problem is, what do we do? Theoretically, many of us could take in a homeless person, but do we? No. I fully admit I wouldn't. So we stick a few tins in the food bank and maybe make the odd cash donation. But it's a drop in the ocean. There is no one to help these people, not in vast numbers. Governments won't do anything. So do we force them to carry on living because we wouldn't feel good about it if they died? That's what it comes down to.

Having seen my darling Dad die from the horror that is cancer this year, I have very strong feelings about quality of life being far more important than quantity.

If you don't feel that your life is worth living for whatever reason, you should have the right to bow out when it's right for you.

If I am ever diagnosed with a terminal illness, I've told my family that I would want to take things into my own hands. Palliative care is a lottery, and one that I'm not prepared to play.

I agree, however, I think there are a lot of people who feel suicidal and want to end their life, but with the right support could live a fulfilled life. I think if you have a terminal illness and you want to take control of how and when you die, that’s one thing. If you have a history of childhood trauma, a drug and alcohol addiction to self medicate and because of this and the inequality in society you are homeless and impoverished then a civilised wealthy society, in theory, can help you with this and life can change. There is always hope. But when you are in the depths of it it’s hard to see. That’s not then informed consent.

Quite. They probably went into a pub and asked a few pissed people what they thought. They then took this unscientific result and spun it into another dramatic headline to sell papers.

Thank you for the condolences.

However, I do wonder. I've seen newspaper articles where Canadians have been offered assisted suicide for being depressed about their medical condition (when they'd actually for help living with their condition) and so on.

This is exactly why I am against assisted suicide as well. The thought of anyone feeling coerced into it, not because it’s what they want, but because they feel it’s what their family wants, is horrific…..
Mum you’re becoming a burden and, if you need go into care, we’re going to lose our inheritance to pay for it. We were counting on getting your money, so if you just sign here, we’ll make the arrangements for your suicide!

I can’t speak to what articles you have or may not have read but:

• currently, only terminally ill people are eligible for assisted suicide in Canada;

• eligibility is to be expanded, likely next year (unless it’s further delayed), to include people who have a “grievous and irremediable medical condition” (which could include a serious and untreatable mental health condition).

That plainly would not have applied to your circumstances.

@kirbykirby what makes you say that? what evidence do you have?

This breaks my heart on so many levels

Having worked in Mental Health services I know quite a number of people who have had serious suicidal intent at some point but have recovered and are now living reasonably content and productive lives, so I can't go along with the "anyone who wants to die should be allowed to" opinion.
I think it's appalling for assisted suicide to be offered for social reasons that could be changed if there was the political will.
I do however agree that people should be able to be assisted to end their lives if they are terminally ill and in severe pain. What does it profit them to live an extra two weeks in distress. There needs to be strong regulation though.

I think some of us might think that if a significant number of Canadians support euthansia for homeless people, then that suggests that Canadas policies are dangerous, even if the homeless are not yet being culled.

Thanks, I was going to say exactly this

I assumed that all euthansia supporters were like me... they imagined being paralyzsed and in pain with zero dignity or quality of life and felt that having an option to end the misery is the only moral thing to do. Canada makes me wonder whether this is possible, or whether the moment the door is open you risk any undesirable minority being culled under the guise of kindness.

So why are we so worried offering it will open the floodgates? The vast majority of us already have the option and it's those who are too sick to be able to take steps who would be the greatest beneficiaries of such legislation.