Should doctors assist in suicide of a patient wanting to die?
114153
Yes, If the patient is in so much pain and has no chance of recovery
478764
Well, suicide is never a great option in my honest opinion, but here is a great list of why one wouldn't want to kill themselves.\n\nhttp://www.wingsoffiresurvivors.com/reasons.htm
658325
I was in a similar situation years ago.  I posed this same question to a Buddhist monk and he thought about it a while and said to say that if you kill yourself, I must die too.  The problem with that is if the lady is mentally unstable, she might take you up on that.  Better get to a counselor with her to work through her issues.
743179
"PT has expressed thoughts of suicide but seems more desperate to get into therapy to deal with her/his problems."\n\n"Pt has agreed to sign 'no-suicide' contract"\n\nI'm not sure that this is what you are looking for but it's a shot. Good Luck!\n~T~
226775
Assisted suicide is when for one reason or another a person no longer wants to go on in this life. At that time someone assist them with ending thier life. \n\n My mother had cancer for the last 15 yrs of her life and towards the end this topic came up alot. We live in the Detroit, Mi area where Dr. kavorkian is from so it was a hot topic. Growing up with someone that was alway ill made me a definet believer in assisted suicide. If for some reason a person no longer wants to go o, why should it be our right to decide whether they do or not? And futher more why should someone get in trouble(Kavorkian is spending time in prison for this) for helping that person out if they can help the person go out a little easier. In my opinion people that have never seen anyone slowly die of something horrible like cancer have no right to answer this question.
897557
Yes there is and it was in the news a lot some months back because of such pacts. It's a person's right to commit suicide but if they need support to do it, then they are not ready. Suicide should be the last resort - it affects so many people who are left behind. The family carry that burden for ever and those who feel that they could have helped feel terrible guilt. In fact, many cannot cope and end up with depression and mental health issues themselves. Suicide is an easy option when the going gets tough. It's much harder to fight and beat depression but once you do, you will never want to go back to that black place.
426587
Doctor assisted suicide allows a terminally ill patient the choice, the chance, and the control of where, when, how, and with whom they are going to die.  Often times when someone is terminally ill, they have no choice.  It's a disease that suddenly takes away their life.  DAS allows them the CHOICE and control, the one thing they may feel they've lost.  \n\nMany also feel like they've become a burden on their loved ones.  If that's the case, they'll talk it over and make the decision as a family.  Most cases when DAS is used it's a single person without family to help.  In that case they just feel like it's the best way to get control back in their life.
1148668
I have always said that if my illness ever takes me to a point where I am suffering unduly, where my dignity and self-worth are  compromised, I would want someone to take my life if I couldn't do it myself. Because this isn't legal,  I wouldn't expect anyone to do this for me but it is how I feel on the subject.\n\nWe do it for animals, so that they don't suffer, and I strongly believe in these circumstances euthanasia is thr only humane way.
220979
Honeybear pretty much said my answer.\n\nIf a dog is suffering, and there is no hope for recovery, people decide to put the amimal to sleep, to end its suffering.  The dog does not get a choice.\n\nIf a human is suffering, and has no hope for recovery, why can't they decide to end their own suffering?  Why do people say they should continue to suffer?\n\nPerhaps the reason people need "assisted suicide" is to be sure they do it right.  They might not take enough pills, they might miss "the right spot" with the gunn, etc, survive the attempt, and end up worse.
21251
We covered this in my Contemporary Moral Problems class. It really made me think about it in a different way in that I was kind of oblivious to how it could be abused. I always thought that if someone wanted to end his or her own life, they should be able to do so, especially if they were in any sort of pain. I realize that sucks for the family and friends of that person, but if they really cared about the person, they would understand and at least be there for them. But then you have to think about the Teri Shivos of the world who never mentioned whether or not they would want to be kept alive. The power now lies in the hands of the family and doctors. I think a better question here would be who should be allowed to handle such a decision. That involves an issue of power- a power perhaps no one should have over anyone. That could lead to someone killing another out of spite or even out of some sort of monetary gain. While I completely agree that if someone wants to end their life, they should be able to- but some serious thought needs to go into who should have the power if someone is unable to make that decision for themselves.
512969
NO, NO, and NO. It is not for us to decide when we die or how we choose to die. That is God's decision and his alone. Of coarse that is just my belief and opinion but you asked. Doctors have taken an oath to preserve life, and to make patients comfortable, but when they choose to cross that line then they are breaking the oath that they have taken, which is wrong.  Suicide is wrong but I would never judge someone who chooses that path, I don't know where they are mentally, but if it is premeditated because of illness that can't be acceptable. We are suppose to endure to the end. Nothing less in God's eyes I feel is acceptable, but ultimately it is between a person and their maker.\n\n2 Cor. 1: 6 \n6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.\n\nSometimes we don't always understand things but all things are meant to bring us closer to our maker. In closing I wanted to include this story, I myself have gone through something very traumatic. I have experienced the refiners fire.\n\n The Silversmith\n\nMalachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver". \n \nThis verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the Character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire And let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to Hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest As to burn away all  the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver The entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it" \n \nIf today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in You.
469886
First I would advise against referring this friend to mental heath care unless you believe him/her to be seriously suicidal (even then, pray about it first). From first-hand experience, I can say that doctors, no matter how well meaning, rarely can make things better, especially if they are not christian. Mental hospitals can keep patients alive, but they can't make the root problem better. Only God can do that.\n\nSecond, as someone else said, advice is not usually welcome in someone depressed, so think carefully before you speak. I can't give you any specific help except don't give general advice (for example, suggest he/she take a fifteen minute walk each morning and evening, rather than the more general, "be more active").\n\nFinally, instead of specific verses, I would suggest reading with her/him everyday if he/she will allow it. What may not strike you may be the exact key that they need. The King James Version (this is not evident in any other version) also has a soothing property in its sound arrangement which scientists have found helps to calm distress.\n\nIf he she is suicidal, I would suggest this section in which Paul describes feeling the same way:\n2 Corinthians 1:3-10, "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;\nWho comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.\nFor as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.\nAnd whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.\nAnd our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.\nFor we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:\nBut we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:\nWho delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;"\n\nGod bless you and help your friend.
144205
You can't compare legality for suicide, .... Who are they going to arrest if a person commits suicide??  If one "assists" in suicide, then it's murder
960247
I'm surprised the docs at the ER released him after one day. Suicide attempt sounds like a good candidate for an inpatient stay (but there are often a lack of beds in some hospitals).\n\nIf he is an imminent danger at any time you or his parents or anyone can call 911 and have him taken against his will.\n\nIn the meantime, my experience is to use a bit of tough love to get people to actively seek and participate in help. They are cognitively buried in that day's pity.  \n\nI go through a list of questions. "Do you remember a day when you were happy?  Or not depressed?"  "Did you want to kill yourself then?"  "What changed between then and now?" "Do you realize that hurting yourself might be a permanent solution to this problem? If you make an impulsive decision in this state of mind, do you realize you don't get to go back the next day and take it all back?"\n\nThen I bring up the selfishness of the suicidal mentality (not in a harsh way but tough love, and pointing out that the person is loved and people are there to support him/her).  Does he care that little about you and his family that he wont accept help during this period or that he will run away from you all permanently?\n\nBasically the final steps of the conversation should be a mutual agreement that he needs help doing what's best for him and everyone who cares for him is right there beside him and that you will both go right away to start packing for an inpatient stay or looking up doctors for outpatient therapy. If I were you, I would consider the inpatient because one day isn't long to get over whatever he was battling that day. My guess is a serious convo about the situation will open him up and you'll see his real emotional state.
371066
I, too, believe the answer would not be accurate as many such suicides are not recognized as such. I even had a father in law that was kept alive by his doctor until our family could arrive. Shortly after we spent a couple days with  him, he went into emergency room and was given pain meds and died shortly after.\nI have to agree with the person's answer above that wouldn't it be nice if we could live a quality life rather than gauged on quantity and be allowed to leave this life with dignity when the time comes.
773202
NEVER !!!!!\nIt does not matter what circumstances are involved, suicide is for people who can not deal with the reality of life, and what they have done with it.\nSome of the above mentioned people are sick and delusional, some were just doing their jobs. BUT none of them HAD to do what they did, they were just to weak to stop it for various reasons.\nThey all need to learn to live with what they have done and try to somehow TRY to correct it, wether just through seeking help or by actively helping society to prevent situations they have caused.\neg - A heroin addict that has beaten an elderly person for money, stolen from people and lied and cheated to his/her family saying one day (f**k the junk I have had enough) and after going through the agony of quitting, then turning around trying to help others through the same process, speaking at schools and in public about the dangers etc etc.\nNO suicide is NEVER acceptable. Women abort lives, babys are still born, innocent children are knocked down by cars - the list goes on - then for someone to make mistakes with the life that they have and decide to commit suicide to fix them is just  a SELFISH act and cruel to the people that have tried to either help or support them no matter how bad their mistake or crimes might have been.\nCriminals could hand themselves in and people that may have cost a life through mistake could appologise for this to the families involved.\n\nTo close this topic - We are all human and sometimes go the wrong way or do the wrong thing but we should never waste the valuable thing we possess known as life. To many sick peolpe want it for others to throw it away.
331867
I am trying to understand your question.First thing, people who call their friends and hint that they want to end their lives do not want to die. your friend is hoping that you will stop her.(got the feeling it's not done yet,I hope,seeing she has done this before) \nShe is calling out to you for HELP.\nHere is something from Module 6-Counseling 11, from when I used to do Crisis Hot-line .\nThe decision to commit suicide is usually the result of a long-term,gradual erosion of the person's ability to cope with negative emotions.She may feel overwhelmed and hopeless;suicide may seem to be the only option.\nStudies have shown that majority ofsuicidal people do not want to die. A number of warning signs can indicate the possibilityof suicide,including:\nsuicide threats, depression, apathy,or withdrawal, giving away prized possessions,making a will ,abrupt changes in behavior, the recent death of a loved one,family history of suicide,family disruptions such as divorce or the break-up of a relationship, and a clear reduction in the fear of death.Many people report that before a loved one committed suicide, he or she seemed "better". In fact , a sudden lifting of sadness, depression, or withdrawal may indicate that the decision to commit suicide has been made. Person may seem calm and at "peace" At this point,the suicide risk is often very high.\n\nHigh risk\nSuicidal feelings seem to be growing stronger, and  a plan has been thought out,but the details have not been worked through.Previous suicide attempts, af any, may be more recent, with higher lethality.\nyour friend seem to fall in high risk category. She has attempted this before. \nShe is looking for a way to end the pain and stress she feels. \nKeep her on the phone if you can , you might have to intervene for your friend, by calling the cops, telling them where she lives, her telephone number, if necessary. \nRemember whatever, happens you have done the best you can, and you might have to seek support for yourself.\nI do not know where you are but here is a 800 info -line \n(800) 203-1234  this is a state wide suicide hot-line that can be called 24 hours a day. There may be options in your area, or her area. Let your Mom know what is happening.\nHope I was able to help.