• Question: What is your opinion on people ending their own life?

    Asked by dickson1 to Anouk, Chris, Judith, Leisha, Seyyed on 13 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Judith Sleeman

      Judith Sleeman answered on 13 Jun 2012:

      That is SUCH a tough question and a real ethical minefield. Suicide, whatever leads to it, can be utterly devastating for relatives and friends left behind. In the case of severe or terminal illness, though, If someone really can’t face any more and has the support of their loved ones, I would respect their decision. I don’t think that people who help someone to end their life should be prosecuted and I sincerely hope that I will never find myself in a position where this becomes any more than a hypothetical ethical dilemma to me.

    • Photo: Chris Kettle

      Chris Kettle answered on 14 Jun 2012:

      I agree with Judith- really hard to answer.

      My personal opinion is that sometimes things can get too much for a person and they feel that life is not worth living anymore because if the physical or emotional pain they are feeling.

      Life is a gift and even when things seem at their darkest a ray of light may be just ahead. People tend to think that those who commit suicide are selfish or disturbed. This may not be the case. I had a friend who committed suicide and in the months before the event they were noticeable depressed and we were all concerned. A week before they died they changed, becoming outwardly happier and calm. Looking back this must have been around the time they made the decision and a sense of described.

      I could not imagine losing a loved one in this way and anyone thinking about this option must think about those it will affect. In the cases in the news regarding assisted suicide then this maybe different due to a patients physical health etc. however- where do you draw the line between physical and mentl health….. Proper minefield

      I’m glad I’m not on the government advisor panel for this!

    • Photo: Anouk Gouvras

      Anouk Gouvras answered on 14 Jun 2012:

      Very difficult question, and probably the answer is so person-specific. I do agree with both Judith and Chris.

      Ultimately each person should be in control of their own life and decide what they want to do with it.
      Depression in most cases is a curable, temporary illness, the person affected can get better and continue to lead a life without depression. There are conditions such a Bipolar syndrome (aka manic depression which is characterised by highs called manias and lows called depression) which are not curable but are treatable so that the extremes remain in check. Stephen Fry did an excellent documentary called ‘The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive’, it was very touching and informative. He interviewed lots of people affected by bipolar and asked about their manic and depressive episodes, their suicidal thoughts or attempts and how they coped now, were they on treatment etc He interviewed the peoples families and friends. He also was very candid and open about his own struggle with it. At the end of each interview he asked if they could remove this condition from their lives with just a simple press of a button would they do it? They all said no. Some said that it gave them their creativity, their passion, others said it was too ingrained in who they were. It was a very interesting documentary which aimed at removing the almost taboo and stigma of mental health problems. There have been lots of campaigns about mental health and there are lots of information and resources out there for those suffering but also those indirectly affected by mental health illness. e.g. http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/support/mental_health_emotional_usefulcontacts_index.shtml, http://www.vik.org.uk/

      As for assisted suicide or euthanasia, again its so difficult and like Judith says I hope I am never in that position. I do think that there needs to be a different legal approach to it. In certain cases when someone has helped a loved one who has been suffering for a long time and has made the decision but for physical reasons can not do it themselves, I don’t think they should be prosecuted. To aid a loved one to die, that requires a heck of a lot of courage and love, it probably such a selfless act, and it just doesn’t bare imagining. But I do understand why this is a difficult legal and ethical nightmare for governments and legal systems.

Comments