Assisted dying mental illness

[caoimhe151]

Apologies if this is thread is inappropriate but I was wondering what peoples views are on assisted dying for mental illness? I see that Canada is planning to expand it next year and will become only of a handful of countries around the world (along with Belgium and Netherlands) to allow it without a terminal or physical illness.

The news makes it out as it it's commonplace but having worked in the Netherlands for a few years, only one of my dozens of friends knew a former schoolmate who was approved for it for autism in their late-20s.

I am devastated to think that this could become common place for autistic people. The fact that suicide is once of the biggest causes of death for autistic people says more about the lack of investment in MH services and a poor level is acceptance in society (starting in schools).

I have three autistic dds and that being autistic would be a reason for assisted suicide just doesn’t bear contemplation.

Autism? Well that would kill off a large chunk of the population.. can't quite believe it.

I think anyone should be permitted at any time to end their live without resorting to methods that may not work and cause long lasting damage or the horrific trauma of family or strangers finding them. It's a person's choice.

I should also say I suffer from many medical conditions including cancer at the moment so I probably have a different outlook from a healthy person who can't know how bad life can be on a day to day basis.

Autism is not a mental illness.

100% agree with this

100% agree with @Timeforchangeithink

I hope they do allow assisted dying for mental illness. I've suffered since I was 16 and I am exhausted by my brain. When my DC are grown and settled, I'd like to quietly check out at a clinic (rather than suicide which would cause so much trauma for them). I like to hope they'd understand- there's no cure for my condition, I'll have to live with it forever and it is unbearable at times, no matter how happy my life is at times.

Assisted dying for autism however is a totally different conversation- autism isn't a mental illness.

One of my best friends took her own life at the age of 31 after struggling for 16 years or so with anorexia, depression, serious self harm (including loads of surgery and stays in the burns unit) and suicide attempts. I've often wondered if there is a point with mental illness where you should just let someone die rather than let them live a completely tortured life.

I've also got to say that the NHS care she received was pretty terrible, maybe if she had been able to access some suitable long term treatment things would have been different for her.

So sorry for your friend, @Gingerkittykat the poor girl sounds like she had a terrible time. And yes the NHS care is pretty awful.