CASP Urges Action on Canadian National Suicide Prevention Strategy Before Parliament Considers Legislation on Assisted Suicide

It's simple. If death is the solution for a terminal patient, why not for a non-terminal patient? The non-terminal patient doesn't need the medical community to assist him. In fact, I can see a day when, following along the lines of the abortion argument, the medical system will *help* the healthy person kill themselves for fear that they will botch up the suicide and end up even more in distress than before.

"Most people who die by suicide experience intense feelings of sadness and emotional pain, and feel hopeless about that pain ever diminishing. The many added stressors in peoples' lives may diminish their capacity to cope, lower their resiliency, and increase their vulnerability to thoughts of suicide," Tim Wall, Executive Director of CASP said. "What is especially tragic is that suicide can be prevented with compassion, understanding, and access to appropriate services. In fact, most people who are suffering and at risk for suicide can recover and experience a life that is meaningful, hopeful, and satisfying."

This is equally true of people who are gravely or terminally ill. There will be a lesser effort to prevent their suicide because it will be seen as a solution to their suffering.

The terminally ill patient will not call the suicide hotline, and there will be no expectation that he should. He just end his misery. He should not receive the same help as anyone else experience intense emotional distress.