[Patagonia]

I'd like to start a civil conversation about AS (assisted suicide). I'm not sure where to put this, but I know a great deal of people who are depressed can also become suicidal.

I've been reading more about AS & that a few more states have jumped on the bad wagon of passing legislation that approves it. I know legal jargon can be tricky so I need this explained to me in layman's terms.

My obvious question is why are only physically ill people allowed to use this law. If you have a terminal illness this is a road you may travel. But if you have a mental illness, one that has no cure, you may not seek this solution. I'm guessing bec so many people compare depression to living w/like diabetes "it's not curable but you can happily live w/it." That's what I've been told many times.
But try telling that to a person who has lived w/ MDD for almost 30 yrs. really it's not the same.
Does anyone else see the discrepancy here? I'm obviously not in my right mind if I would want AS for PTSD or depression or various other things, but if I know when I'm going to die of say some tumor, I'm in my right mind to make that choice.
To me, this puts another label on people w/mental illness. Incompetent. So now I sit back & wait for a terminal illness to take me?
I don't understand this logic.
It's MY life

[gayleggg]

I agree that it should be our choice. I've suffered from depression for 30 years and know it's not going to get better. I would like the choice when I've decided I've had enough.

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[BBB2]

Mental illnesses cause cognitive distortions. 15 Common Cognitive Distortions | Psych Central
For some people their depression might well be curable and manageable. They could still have a good quality of life. But, what if because of their depression they believed life would never get better or that they were better off dead? These people should not be allowed to commit AS because they can get better.
So, the real issues are - how do we decide when depression in an individual is both incurable and so severe that a person should be allowed to die? How do we measure mental suffering?
How can you be sure that an individual has the capacity to make that decision?

[IrisBloom]

Assisted suicide is only ethical (Where applicable) when the person is on the verge of death and hastens it. In most cases the person is in severe pain and needs relief, and hastening their demise can be viewed as merciful. It is not intended to be used to legally assist someone who just doesn't want to live any more.

Myself, I think AS should be allowed in cases of severe pain at the end of a terminal illness.

This is a controversial issue, as no one can really say if the person will die of the illness for sure. Spontaneous remissions happen all the time, sometimes even on one's death bed.

Again, AS, legal or not, is not intended to help mentally ill patients commit suicide.

[Patagonia]

I understand this is a controversial issue. Thanks everyone for your opinions.

I wonder if most worry about who would be "legally responsible."

I know it's hard to measure mental suffering. I'm guessing we could offer length of time like gaylegg said. Maybe 20 plus yrs of suffering would be a good starting place.

I understand that people would contest this if it was lawful. But again I see it coming down to if I'm competent to make such a decision for myself.
There's many aspects to look at which is why I think it'll never be a legal option. Least not in my lifetime. Ugh!

[IrisBloom]

Whatever the legal or ethical issues, maybe it boils down to this: As long as you are living there is always hope for healing.