Should People with Mental Illness be Allowed to Die?

Rob and Lauren take on a very controversial and often sensitive issue around whether or not those living with chronic mental health conditions should be allowed the right to die in a medically assisted way. We reflect on a story presented in the publication The Walrus (link below), our own experiences and perspectives, and on the ethics of both sides of the debate. 'Should the Right to Die Extend to People with Mental Illness?' Article in The Walrus: https://thewalrus.ca/should-the-right-to-die-extend-to-people-with-mental-illness/ **EDIT: Gentle reminder: We understand that this is a polarizing topic. We appreciate that people have different points of view on this, and that’s okay. If you do feel like sharing your opinion please do so in a thoughtful and considerate manner. Furthermore, we do want to make emphatically clear that: - we are not pro suicide - we are not encouraging suicide - we are not suggesting or encouraging that people with mental illness be put to death, coerced into suicide, or be murdered - we are not saying that people with mental illness are not worthy or deserving of life - we are not saying that everyone and anyone who is suicidal should be given the option of medically assisted dying What we do hope this video does is help open up the conversation around medically assisted dying, and the inclusion of people with mental illness being able to access those services if so chosen. We also understand that we did not cover all facets of the debate. For example, we understand that perhaps before this change in law can take place, vast improvements in mental health care need to happen. Disparities in resources and access to supports obviously affects an individuals mental state, and thus are important things to address within this debate as well. However, again, the point of this video was to strike up and encourage more conversations around death and dying and a person’s right to choose how they die. We are absolutely not saying that there is no hope for those who are struggling with mental illness and suicidal thoughts. For the vast majority of people, there absolutely is. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, please reach out for support. If you are feeling unsafe, please call a local crisis support line, or go to your nearest emergency room department.** JOIN OUR ONLINE PEER SUPPORT COMMUNITY Join a welcoming community of your peers and find comfort in sharing your experiences. By joining our community, you can benefit from the support of others who understand what you’re going through. We offer live weekly facilitated video peer support groups and text channels to communicate about a wide range of topics. Join today and start feeling less alone with what you’re going through. • Schizophrenia Peer Support Community: https://www.schizophreniapeersupport.com • General Mental Illness Peer Support Community: https://www.onlinepeersupport.com HELP SUPPORT THE CHANNEL We depend on the support of our audience to create this valuable resource. If you have found our content helpful, please consider supporting us today. Your contribution can make a huge difference and enable us to continue providing valuable resources to those living with mental illness. • One-time donation: https://donate.stripe.com/9AQ6oV5S0eft5568ww • Monthly donation: https://www.patreon.com/livingwellwithschizophrenia MENTAL HEALTH APPAREL Wear your support for mental health! Our t-shirts, sweaters, and mugs not only spread awareness but also help support this channel. Pick up some mental health apparel today and make a statement while making a difference. https://livingwell.myspreadshop.com/ SPEAKING & CONSULTING Looking for an expert speaker or consultant for your upcoming event or project? With years of experience and a passion for mental health advocacy, I can provide the insight and inspiration you need to make a positive impact. Visit my speaking website to learn more! https://www.laurenkennedywest.com/ SOCIALS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingwellwithschizophrenia/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livingwellschizophrenia Twitter: https://twitter.com/LWSchizophrenia Website: https://www.livingwellwithschizophrenia.org #schizophrenia #livingwellwithschizophrenia #schizoaffectivedisorder #mentalhealth #assisteddying