I think its good to discuss topics like this, everyone has a difference of opinion, it doesnt make one person right and another wrong, its why there has to be discussion so that democracy rules.
I'm curious to what your opinion is meesaclaire ,?
I was very pro assisted dying to be honest after my accident, then after a few attempts that didn't work, I had more neck surgery that went badly, had to quit my job as had no movement, you don't get a payout or anything in NZ so financially wasn't good, I was in a really bad space. Spent the year sleeping, reflecting on life, and now love my life, even though I'm more disabled. So I'm pretty worried that the proposed bill that includes disability will go through as I mentor a lot of young people with my injury that are also suicidal that would take it up. I just question why the criteria includes disability, I know I would have killed myself using the Bill and I'm just so grateful it wasn't around when I was so depressed. But yeah, worried for others who might be in a bad place with no support that kill themselves through the bill when I know, that sometimes, life can get better. For me, I'd like to see more support offered not the option of a state sanctioned death. I do understand both sides though, having been on both sides!
I went through a bad place also where I didnt want to live any longer, it was compounded when my husband left me... anti depressants saved my life. If your legislation is like ours, then there should be a very strict criteria who can be approved of assisted dying. I fully agree with your concerns and I'm sure the NZ government and the media will be keeping a close eye on the ones who get approved over here...people havent been able to apply for assisted dying as yet although the bill in Victoria was passed in 2017, they can do that on the 19th June of this year.
Good for you for being a mentor, thats not an easy thing to do so kudos to you
I like this topic. It is not about depression and etc, it is more about person choice, freedom. If human can not handle with own life, year-two-more... it will be more difficult for him and for family too. BUT in beginning will be tried out all possible options: treatment, therapies etc. Because when you are healthy person and one day you are disable, it is quite hard. One woman from my country was passed couple days ago in other Europe country. HI do not remember diagnosis, but it was progressive illness, she knew her health will more and more worse. She and her family decided to do it.
Totally for it. In developed societies there'll always be safeguards in place to ensure people aren't being coerced into it for gain or are forced.
In Europe it's tolerated that the Swiss allow Europeans to use their clinic which is great. Scotland is fairly close to it but it takes a committed campaigner to push the argument. The UK government is a different story.
I'd fancy anyone who'd seen a relative or two suffer terribly or die in the most horrific way would be for it, sadly the whole debate can be stifled by religious hardliners, much the same way US gun law debate can be.
In end of life care in U.K. doctors do already help things along, they know how much morphine tolerance people have and when to give just that little bit more to the dying. They'll never admit it but if half your friends are hospital doctors you tend to learn what really goes on.