Euthanasia Question

[Depressed_Kettle]

In my country (Canada), some people with serious physical illnesses that are incurable can get euthanized but people with incurable mental illnesses can not. Should people with mental illnesses be able to get euthanized legally too if it causes a reduction in quality of life such as the physical illnesses do? Going even further, should anyone be able to get legally euthanized as long as they have reached the age of consent in their country?

 

[FuneralCry]

I think euthanasia should be a basic human right. Nobody asked to exist in the first place so it isn't like we have any obligations to stay alive. It is our lives, we should be able to decide when to end them and we should get a peaceful exit. Mental illnesses can be very debilitating and can impact someones quality of life.

 

[Depressed_Kettle]

I think euthanasia should be a basic human right. Nobody asked to exist in the first place so it isn't like we have any obligations to stay alive. It is our lives, we should be able to decide when to end them and we should get a peaceful exit. Mental illnesses can be very debilitating and can impact someones quality of life.

I agree to some extent. People should have to wait until they can consent legally for it. It would be horrible to have teens asking for it when they are going through all their hormonal changes.

 

[grail]

Should people with mental illnesses be able to get euthanized legally too if it causes a reduction in quality of life such as the physical illnesses do? Going even further, should anyone be able to get legally euthanized as long as they have reached the age of consent in their country?

maybe it's an unpopular opinion on here, but I don't think so. if you were locked in a ward against your will (where you would be a threat to others if you were let out), I think you should have the option. otherwise, it isn't too difficult to get rope or chemicals in some countries to do it yourself. putting myself in the shoes of someone who isn't already depressed, I think it would be depressing to know that there are many people who opt to euthanize themselves and that it is even an option. children would grow up knowing it's an option once they reach a certain age. being a euthanizer would also be really dangerous. if some crazed family member finds the euthanizer who "killed" their loved one, they'd probably go after them

 

[Alwaysdreaming]

It should be legal. I really feel like it would help family's understand what the individual is going through. It would also help the individual make a rational decision and make them feel comfortable if they truly wish to go down that path. As for teens and such, I believe it might be best if they waited.

 

[grail]

I really feel like it would help family's understand what the individual is going through.

wut, but the individual would be dead by then

another thing I didn't mention: I think it's good that it takes some research and difficulty to ctb. it gives you some time to think over your decision while you're prepping. and if you aren't willing to go through the momentary discomfort, I don't think it's your time either. if you could go to someplace to lay in a comfy bed and take a death pill, it would eliminate this whole process for worse.

 

[LastResort]

It is legal in The Netherlands to get euthanasia for mentall ilnesses, they do it at the ''levenseindekliniek'' (meaning: end of life clinic), there are strict rules and you need to be done with every kind of therapy there is to offer for you. It is a hard and long way from what I've read and saw in documantaries but it is possible.

Some more information :https://expertisecentrumeuthanasie.nl/en/

Edit: apperently the name of the clinic is now Centre of Expertise on Euthanasia

 

[Alwaysdreaming]

What lastresort posted was what I was thinking about as far as there being a process and such. I mean I'm too sure it would be a good idea to have suicide booths. They should just make the process a little easier and help everyone involved. When people get emotional they think irrationally.

 

[Depressed_Kettle]

It is legal in The Netherlands to get euthanasia for mentall ilnesses, they do it at the ''levenseindekliniek'' (meaning: end of life clinic), there are strict rules and you need to be done with every kind of therapy there is to offer for you. It is a hard and long way from what I've read and saw in documantaries but it is possible.

Some more information :https://expertisecentrumeuthanasie.nl/en/

Edit: apperently the name of the clinic is now Centre of Expertise on Euthanasia

Only citizens or anyone?

 

[LastResort]

Only citizens or anyone?

Mostly for citizens from here/The Netherlands.

 

[Depressed_Kettle]

Only for citizens from here/The Netherlands.

It mentions that foreigners can get it but it's a difficult process. I think maybe I should look into it more. Thanks for the information.

 

[LastResort]

Only citizens or anyone?

The website says:

FOREIGN REQUESTS​

We focus on patients from the Netherlands. If you come from another country and you have a request for euthanasia in The Netherlands, then this is not a simple matter. Because good communication is very essential during the investigation for assessing the meeting of legal requirements, you have to be fluent in Dutch or English. You have to stay in The Netherlands during the investigation, which can take a rather long time. You must have a readable and accessible medical history. Also, the cost of investigation and euthanasia are only reimbursed if you have a Dutch medical insurance. It is our experience that as a non-resident is it very difficult to fulfill the legal requirements. Please note that Expertisecentrum Euthanasie is not a clinic. Our ambulatory doctors visit patients at home. Visiting the organization is useless.

It mentions that foreigners can get it but it's a difficult process. I think maybe I should look into it more. Thanks for the information.

No problem! If you need more information you can message me, I can always look up if there is more information available in English besides that link I already posted.


Sorry for the spam, here is more about euthanasia in the Netherlands, there are English subtitles:

 

[Greenberg]

What lastresort posted was what I was thinking about as far as there being a process and such. I mean I'm too sure it would be a good idea to have suicide booths. They should just make the process a little easier and help everyone involved. When people get emotional they think irrationally.

The mention of "suicide booths" reminds me of an episode of Star Trek (from the Original Series).

 

[Alwaysdreaming]

The mention of "suicide booths" reminds me of an episode of Star Trek (from the Original Series).

I was thinking of Futurama.

 

[Greenberg]

In my country (Canada), some people with serious physical illnesses that are incurable can get euthanized but people with incurable mental illnesses can not. Should people with mental illnesses be able to get euthanized legally too if it causes a reduction in quality of life such as the physical illnesses do? Going even further, should anyone be able to get legally euthanized as long as they have reached the age of consent in their country?

I might be mistaken but was not new (Canadian) legislation enacted to permit euthanasia for those with serious mental illnesses within 2 years?

 

[FuneralCry]

I agree to some extent. People should have to wait until they can consent legally for it. It would be horrible to have teens asking for it when they are going through all their hormonal changes.

I agree with this, but I think if a young person has an incurable physical disease then maybe they could get their parents consent, but I agree apart from that people should wait until they are the age of consent.

 

[RealLostSoul]

another thing I didn't mention: I think it's good that it takes some research and difficulty to ctb. it gives you some time to think over your decision while you're prepping. and if you aren't willing to go through the momentary discomfort, I don't think it's your time either. if you could go to someplace to lay in a comfy bed and take a death pill, it would eliminate this whole process for worse.

As it takes a long time for me to prepare too I can only heavily agree with this. I think firearms are a bad method primarily because people who have temporary downs may use it as an impulsive decision. Suicide should always be the final solution after every hope is lost. Reflecting upon it really gives off the severity of it (in and of itself) and I believe it should always be a well-thought-out decision...

 

[Depressed_Kettle]

The mention of "suicide booths" reminds me of an episode of Star Trek (from the Original Series).

It reminds me of an episode of futurama.

 

[SunnyPotato]

Something to consider too is that for some cases, just having the option could alleviate some of the suffering causing desires to ctb... like by empowering the individual, giving some agency, making it an option so that it doesn't feel like the ONLY option. Idk if I'm making sense, there was a similar thread about this and whoever explained it there did a far better job than I am right now heh

 

[Depressed_Kettle]

I might be mistaken but was not new (Canadian) legislation enacted to permit euthanasia for those with serious mental illnesses within 2 years?

I'm not sure, do you have a source? I haven't heard or seen anything about it except I remember it being mentioned they slightly changed it. I don't remember anything been mentioned about mental illnesses. I'm going to go look into it.

edit: nevermind I found a source. Very interesting, I wonder if the process can be started now. I'm going to keep looking into it. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

 

[Greenberg]

I'm not sure, do you have a source? I haven't heard or seen anything about it except I remember it being mentioned they slightly changed it. I don't remember anything been mentioned about mental illnesses. I'm going to go look into it.

edit: nevermind I found a source. Very interesting, I wonder if the process can be started now. I'm going to keep looking into it. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

That is funny. An American knows more about Canadian law than a Canadian. LOL

 

[TheUnkn0wn]

A vote in February took place allowing certain mental health illnesses to qualify for the MAID program (Bill C-7 I believe). The vote passed, which now gives 18 months for regulations to come into place and take effect.

 

[lugerepair]

I'm of two minds on this. On the one hand, in an ideal society, anyone would be able to opt out of existence whenever they feel like, by taking N or something. On the other hand, we don't live in an ideal society, so if we made opting out of existence easy in our current society, I'm afraid that any time someone complains about anything, some asshole would reply "if you don't like society you can just opt out, no one is forcing you to stay, just buy N at the corner pharmacy, easy". It could become pretty dystopian. People who are considered "burdens" on society would be shamed for continuing to exist, etc. In spite of that, I do believe in the right to die, I think it's very important, and perhaps especially so because society is shit.