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We disagree, Redress. :-( I think anyone should be able to voluntarily commit suicide with assistance. This is especially true of those with psychological illness, as let's face it, they aren't curable only treatable. The only concern I have is for a psychologically disturbed patient to be under the influence of someone else encouraging they volunteer. SO there are rules:
As stated earlier in the thread...
Terminal patient: after a timely review and psychological interview for intent.
Minors: with a review, a psychological interview and parental or guardian consent
All other individuals: a review and psychological interview.
The psychological interview is to allow psychologically afflicted patients to pass. It is to eliminate external influence on the decision.
The degree with which I disagree with this post knows no bounds. If someone has a psychiatric illness and wants to commit suicide, their desire to commit suicide is a symptom of that illness. It is unethical to treat an illness by encouraging the continuation of a symptom that will cause that patient harm. No ethical psychologist, psychiatrist, therapist, or any other mental health professional would sign off on this. It would be like giving an alcoholic a lethal amount of alcohol, or a cancer patient some plutonium.
I also reject the statement that psychological illnesses are only treatable. That's like saying that cancer patients are only treatable. Both disorders can be in remission and not reoccur. One does not treat an illness by making a major symptom worse.