The government of Canada has decided that mental illness will currently not be included under MAID (medical assistance in dying). Today the government introduced legislation that will delay the expansion of assisted dying to include those suffering solely from mental illness to 2027. This is the second time the government has sought to delay the expansion of MAID since the Superior Court of Quebec struck down the government's original 2016 legislation because it was limited to those whose deaths were "reasonably foreseeable." New legislation passed in 2021 delayed by two years the extension of MAID to include those who suffer from mental illness. That deadline was later pushed back to March 17 of this year. According to a special committee Canada is not ready.
I'm not entirely sure they're right. For many people, including myself, thoughts of dying have often felt like the only way out of an agonizing situation.
I know a lot of people don't agree with MAID. 'Just try harder', 'try a new medication', 'attend more therapy', 'think happy thoughts' etc. etc. But honestly is that fair to ask of someone who has suffered from crippling mental illness that has ripped all sense of happiness and belonging from them for the majority of their lives, has tried a multitude of medication and therapy and in-patient stays? I don't think so. It feels very judgmental to ask so much more of them. And truth be told, I feel incredible empathy for those people who are suffering.
For many people living with devastatingly painful mental illness the alternative is suicide. But with that often comes guilt. What about the one who finds you? What about the suddenness of your departure? At least with MAID you can prepare people for what's about to happen. It doesn't mean others will agree with it, and it doesn't mean it will hurt less, but they'll at least know. And you can talk to them about it. And maybe, just maybe, you won't go through with it. But maybe you will.
Whatever happens, if the government finally approves MAID in 2027, at least people will get to choose for themselves and on their terms and won't have to use suicide as their escape. I don't think it's fair to make people wait another 3 years for this decision, though. I think the government needs to do more to help people with mental illness and stop treating it so differently than physical illness. While we wait, I hope those who really need this piece of legislation don't suffer too much. Because that's what it's all about really, ending the suffering of those in need.
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