Assisted suicide: A dignified end to severe and enduring mental illness?

Résumé

The topic of assisted suicide has been much discussed within the boundaries of general healthcare, and yet little consideration has been given within the world of mental health. For clarity, ássisted suicide' is the action whereby a person is prescribed a lethal dose of medication by a medical professional, but administers the dose him or herself. This is quite different to the topic of euthanasia, where a person's life is ended by the direct actions of another. Within this chapter, I aim to explore the possibility of assisted suicide within the world of severe and enduring mental illness. I do not aim to explore the complicated legislative issues that surround this subject, but instead (using a fictitious case study) explore issues surrounding dignity, suicide and sanctity of life. I have chosen to use this fictitious study to protect the identity of any patients that I have worked with in my work as a mental health chaplain. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved) SUICIDE-ASSISTÉ SANTÉ-MENTALE PSYCHOPATHOLOGIE