Suicide prevention group expresses concerns over governments legalizing assisted suicide

An international organization is urging lawmakers to slow down assisted suicide legislation, warning such policies risk normalizing suicide rather than preventing it.

The International Association for Suicide Prevention released a position statement as more governments move to legalize assisted suicide.

“Death should never be a substitute for adequate care and support,” the organization said.

The group defines assisted suicide as a practice in which a medical professional provides lethal medication for a patient to self-administer. Euthanasia involves a medical professional directly administering a lethal substance. The association said both practices increasingly resemble suicide when applied outside end-of-life situations.

The organization warned people suffering from chronic illness, disability or emotional distress may be pushed toward assisted death when better treatment options exist. It said research and clinical experience show that severe suffering can often be addressed through improved care.

“Even when it may convincingly appear to be hopeless, premature deaths can be prevented,” the statement said.

The association criticized governments advancing assisted suicide laws without consulting suicide prevention experts. The group also warned assisted suicide laws risk reinforcing the idea that some lives are not worth protecting when mental health care and social supports are inadequate. It said public policy should prioritize care, treatment and accompaniment over expanding access to death.

“We should never take the position that there is a category … of people who may be ‘better off dead,’” the organization said, raising particular concern about ending the lives of those suffering from mental illness.

The association called for stronger safeguards, including mandatory access to suicide prevention assessments, mental health treatment and palliative care before anyone considers assisted suicide.

Assisted suicide or euthanasia is legal in a limited number of countries. The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Canada, New Zealand, Colombia, Austria, Germany and Switzerland permit some form of assisted dying.

Meanwhile, every Australian state has approved assisted suicide. Additionally, 12 American states and the District of Columbia have legalized the practice.