Why Physician Assisted Suicide Should be Easier to Access

Physician assisted suicide is very fresh on my mind lately, due in large part to recent events that have transpired with my dear heart and one of Steemit's finest, Laura Lemons. I have always supported this in theory but am now thinking of it in a much more serious light.

NOTE: I ONLY endorse this as an absolute last result.

I will discuss this as it relates to:

1. Terminally physically or fatally injured person
2. Person with severe depression and/or mental illness.

For terminally ill patients (i.e. cancer, heart failure, trauma victims, etc), I definitely endorse this - that is, only after all other alternatives have been explored and exhausted. On the grounds that; the fatally injured or extremely ill person is mentally competent to make the decision or has legally signed papers permitting a spouse, close friend or family member make this decision in the event they are unable to advocate for themselves.

For the mentally ill, within reason, again, every attempt for resolution is explored or exhausted. Past medical history will be taken heavily into consideration with particular emphasis on past suicide attempts or ideations. NOTE mental illness does not equal mental incompetence. The person should be given a mandatory 48-72 hour lapse for re- consideration purposes. During this time frame, depending on the individual's preference counseling or ministry services should be available 24/7 for this patient.

I stress mental competence because many death row inmates have performed poorly on mental competency testing prior to their death and still receive the penalty.

Back to the mentally ill (severe depression, PTSD, etc, etc) - these people would benefit greatly from this being a more easily accesible option.

WHY?:

• Person experiences a calm and peaceful departure versus the more violent and painful effects of a shooting, hanging, etc
• Physician assisted suicide would cut back on, what I would surmise to be, a huge admission & re-admission rate in hospitals worldwide having to tend to the wounds of an unsuccessful attempt. Instead, those beds would be available for another sick person in need.
• Having been through the unsuccesful attempts with, what is now two people (RIP Laura), that both ended up successful in the attempts later; it would lessen the pain my selfish ass is experiencing now that they are gone. Did I just mention me....? Oops, I meant their family and friends. You would know their final days would've been much less stressful and less additional physical pain and/or mental anguish. I already pointed out unsuccessful attempts are a problem. Most people try again. Furthermore, many suicide attempts are performed "incorrectly " leading to a slow painful death. The person may have decided to change their mind but now can't and lies in agony - leaving this world as we know it in a drawn out death process.

As I have mentioned, all other treatments need to have been thoroughly examined. I believe people in enough actual PAIN to lead them to take their own life should at least have a more humane way to do it. ♡♡♡

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flower photo my own taken by me