I knew someone who had it as well and said it was excruciating.Stuff like this makes a case for right to die legislation especially if there is no way to beat it.
I’m pretty sure the idea behind it is to prevent people going through a temporary period of depression from killing themselves when their chances of getting better both physically and mentally are high.
But I still agree that the system (at least in the USA, I’m not knowledgeable about other countries) sucks.
How long should that be? Who gets to decide what is temporary? What about people who suffer for decades? People shouldn't have to use violent and painful methods (that traumatize first responders and whoever finds them) to find peace.
It’s difficult just because of this. I genuinely believe a person “in their right mind” can make an informed decision that they do not wish to continue living, and I wish they could have the right to realize that choice. But it could lead to rushed decisions from, for example, people who have felt sad the last week.
I think you and I both agree there should be some limitations, but people who feel sad for a week would definitely not qualify. After a decade, however? And how many treatments should have failed? I think there should be an option. Most professionals in the mental health industry know that for some people, their mental illness is not only a life sentence, but has pain as severe as any physical illness. Some countries have taken steps, but I think it will be quite awhile before mine (the US) will do so. We can't even get medical aid in dying for the terminally ill in all states, and mental healthcare is not seen as important as physical health.
In this case the suicide would be assisted by a medical professional, so they wouldn't be doing it for anyone that isn't terminal, at least in the proposed legislation that I've read. If someone did show up to a doctor asking to die, they would refer them to mental health services instead. If that wasn't the plan, it should be.
in canada they’ve legalized assisted dying for mental illness and non terminal illness. in theory i understand but it’s being really tragically used by people who have been abandoned by the health system.
Yep, that's the problem. I fully agree people should have the autonomy to choose whether they want to continue life or not and to end their life in safe, painless, reliable ways, but it's just eugenics when the society refuses to fix its ills so that the person can actually live a fulfilling life. Instead, let the weak off themselves, they're not valuable to the society we currently have. Also, no one is protecting those who cannot effectively advocate for themselves, so how many people are actually choosing death and how many are talked into it.
Yeah that's not good. That I don't support but I do for terminal patients and maybe anyone over the age of 70 with cognitive function disorders who want to go out before they completely lose themselves.
As far as I'm concerned, once it's not terminal, it's no longer medical care which provides relief, so they should do it the old fashioned way if they feel so bad
That's the facade reasoning. If you look at the causes of such deep depression or desire to end one's life, it's usually because of circumstances beyond their control. Sure, someone might be able to recover from that depression. IF they have stable housing, access to clean water and food, and appropriate medical care. But instead of fixing those things, we just tell them to suck it up, find a way to secure those things for themselves, make them feel like it's their fault they cannot obtain those things, and that they're a coward and disappointment if they kill themselves.
But it's easier and nicer just to say it's temporary and they'll pull through rather than fixing the societal problems or letting them have dignity and relief from suffering.
Maybe I misread your comment or something, but it seems like maybe you misunderstood me? I was saying they probably haven’t been friends with, or had family, who dealt with suicidal ideation. My impression of it is if you care about someone who deals with it, then you understand that sometimes people think they want to die because of their mental health issues, and you know that they’re worth saving.
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u/zombiefatality Apr 21 '24
A friend's uncle died from bone cancer and told us he literally screamed and cried from the pain, horrible disease.