AtalantaSenior Contributor
Suicide or euthanasia?
Why is it that when someone with a mental health issue wants to die, it's suicide but if they have a physical issue and they want to die, it's euthanasia?
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Suicide or euthanasia?
24 replies
In response to: Suicide or euthanasia?
utopiaSenior Contributor
Re: Suicide or euthanasia?
@Atalanta. You raised a very important issue. The right to die as you see fit. The right to die with support.
Later this year a request will go before the Government - to have an Act passed allowing Euthanasia. Initially it will only be for people who have one of 3 types of conditions. All of which are physical illnesses.
I agree - no matter what means death occurs - it would be nice to have someone with you.
Later this year a request will go before the Government - to have an Act passed allowing Euthanasia. Initially it will only be for people who have one of 3 types of conditions. All of which are physical illnesses.
I agree - no matter what means death occurs - it would be nice to have someone with you.
In response to: Suicide or euthanasia?
AtalantaSenior Contributor
Re: Suicide or euthanasia?
I think there are issues around euthanasia but if there is a way of providing that service with checks that there aren't any undue pressures, or abuse then I think it should be available. As for mental issues and euthanasia, it gets more complicated because its hard to know if it's an episode or this is how it's going to be forever...people do grow out of or gain wisdom or stability as they get older. Still, if a person can demonstrate that they have done everything they can and nothing works and it's been year after year of suffering, then yes I think they deserve to die a more dignified death wiyh loved ones.
In response to: Re: Suicide or euthanasia?
Unknown userMember
Re: Suicide or euthanasia?
Hi @Atalanta - this is a dangerous place for me to be hanging out for long in but I wanted to pop in and say that I hear you. I think it's really important for people to be able to have choices, and I question why a choice in death, as well as life, is not something that is more openly spoken about. I have been doing some reading on these kinds of questions and found it kind of helpful to gain different perspectives on this (gotta love google book previews). This also leads to more questions for me than answers, but I guess that's a good thing, at least it is for me. While I have questions I have reasons to stay here searching. Anyway, something that I sit with is that question about whether or not you can truly 'know' an episode from a life. It's a huge call to make.
I'm off to bed now but it's nice to 'meet' you 🙂
In response to: Suicide or euthanasia?
utopiaSenior Contributor
Re: Suicide or euthanasia?
@Atalanta. I don't think there is a right or wrong way for people to live or to die. There is only a right way for that individual.
No person should dictate or make judgements on how someone chooses to live their life or when and how to end it.
We will all have our own views. And those views are right for us.
Thank you for an interesting topic.
No person should dictate or make judgements on how someone chooses to live their life or when and how to end it.
We will all have our own views. And those views are right for us.
Thank you for an interesting topic.
In response to: Re: Suicide or euthanasia?
getbetterSenior Contributor
Re: Suicide or euthanasia?
I used to be fully against euthanasia for any purpose because of articles written about euthanasia including the methods used for euthanasia, I used to worry that if it was allowed it could end up including those with a mental illness as in belgium and the netherlands, but these days if we had the option to use it for chronic long term mental illness, I would use it, just when you think things can not get any worse, they do, leaving me to think there is no bottom to this pit, I have very good help and tried many medications and therapies but the continueing stressors undo any improvements, I can not control the stressors, so it becomes that suicide is a logical option to end suffering, my dr once said you can't live life like I am, meaning we need to try all options to improve my mental health, but what rings true is she is right I can't live life this way.
In response to: Suicide or euthanasia?
Unknown userMember
Re: Suicide or euthanasia?
@getbetter, that's really sad 😢 feel for you 💜 sending big gentle cyber hug your way. Have you looked at the research on Gut & Mood? Was just listening to Jiulia Enders on ABC radio who has a book out called GUT. I opened a discussion & posted a book review here on the forums in the 'research' section. Hope you can create something pleasurable today, a reminder of the things worth living for, even if just for a moment xox
In response to: Re: Suicide or euthanasia?
getbetterSenior Contributor
Re: Suicide or euthanasia?
@Former-Member hello yes i have been looking at that space and started probiotics last week , I understand the common probiotics we have do not suit everyone, I have seen the gut referred to as the second brain and there are a lot of neurons there, so it makes sense it could cause issues, particularly as I already have immune/inflammation issues.
In response to: Suicide or euthanasia?
utopiaSenior Contributor
Re: Suicide or euthanasia?
@getbetter. I think those that aren't in your shoes - our shoes don't understand the day to day struggles. They can see some of it with people who have a physical illness - but not a mental illness.
Although the Mental Health Care Industry has made improvements in the health and treatment of MI's - there is still so much more research and help and funding that is needed.
I look towards the newer treatments being offered - EMDR & Neurofeedback. I think they are on the right track. But they need to be more readily available - and much earlier - when it comes to trauma.
I'm ever hopeful that better things will come our way.
But I do understand the frustrations of living with a MI.
Although the Mental Health Care Industry has made improvements in the health and treatment of MI's - there is still so much more research and help and funding that is needed.
I look towards the newer treatments being offered - EMDR & Neurofeedback. I think they are on the right track. But they need to be more readily available - and much earlier - when it comes to trauma.
I'm ever hopeful that better things will come our way.
But I do understand the frustrations of living with a MI.
In response to: Suicide or euthanasia?
utopiaSenior Contributor
Re: Suicide or euthanasia?
@Former-Member @getbetter. Yes probiotics are very important for good health. Even with the supplements, be sure to include good probiotic yoghurt in your diet too.
In response to: Suicide or euthanasia?
Phoenix_RisingSenior Contributor
Re: Suicide or euthanasia?
Hi @Atalanta, I read your post on my phone the other day, and have only now had a chance to respond (I hate typing on my phone). I want to say that I find it amusing the way society in general seems more open to the idea of euthanasia than suicide. Do they not realise that both of these terms are simply words for "end one's own life."
I firmly believe in rational suicide. I believe that a person has the right to choose to end their own life. Having said that, I also know that this is a HUGE decision - one of the few decisions in life that is irreversible. Therefore, I think it is very important that the decision is made when one is very clear headed. I struggle a lot with intense waves of suicidal ideation. During those waves I put all my energy into staying alive because I know it is just a wave and it will pass. Suicide is a permanent solution. Thus I don't want to choose a permanent solution for a wave of overwhelming emotion which is a temporary problem.
However, as I mentioned on my other post, I currently have one thing that I need to complete before I would ever suicide. If I haven't found another reason to live by then, I may very well choose to suicide, and I'm completely ok with that. You mentioned somewhere that you recognise others would be hurt if you suicide. I guess that's where I am in a better space. I genuinely have no friends or family. That isn't "the depression talking", it's an objective fact. The only people I have in my real world are my psychologist and my GP. I know they would be upset, but not like family and friends would be.
Anyway, that all got a bit long-winded. I really just wanted to say that I really have no idea why society differentiates between suicide and euthanasia.
