Is Medically Assisted Death the Same as Suicide?
Note: This is a highly sensitive subject and I am mindful and sensitive to the array of experiences others have had, their values and beliefs, and their hopes and fears. If you choose to comment please be respectful, kind, and caring.
Depending on your experience of death and dying, and whether or not you are living with a terminal illness as a patient or caregiver the topic of medical aid in dying (MAiD) is a topic that elicits strong reactions and opinions. State by state communities are considering and voting on whether or not to make medically assisted death a legal option. Personal experiences, spiritual or religious beliefs or doctrines, and often our own hopes and fears get bound up when we think about this subject. Often, there is a concern that MAiD is the equivalent of suicide, which rubs against our social standards of protecting life, and therefore should not be legal. I’d like to share my perspective on how medically assisted death is an empowered, dignified, and healthy option both for patients and caregivers, families and communities. What is MAiD? Compassion & Choices, a nonprofit advocacy organization that is a leader in advancing MAiD legislation across the U.S. defines MAiD as:
“an end-of-life healthcare option in which a mentally capable, terminally ill adult may request a prescription from their healthcare provider for a medication they can choose to ingest to die peacefully”
It is legal in 14 states with legislation pending in another 8 states. Check this map to see if it is legal in your state.
Here’s what I’ve learned about the process:
The patient must be terminally ill with a prognosis of no more than six months to live.
They must be of sound mind and ask medical providers for assistance multiple times to show earnest, consistent desire for the option.
They must register themselves in advance to even be able to have the option.
When and if they decide to use the option they must be able to administer the drugs themselves.
Note that for many terminally ill patients the psychological and emotional relief of knowing it’s an option is enough and the medication is never actually taken.
Is MAiD Suicide?
No. The end result of the loss of a precious life is the same but that is the only thing suicide and MAiD have in common – it’s the experience of the death, both for the patient and caregivers, families and communities that is the differentiator.
Medically assisted death is a kind of social permission I think. It removes judgement and criminal implications. It affords patients, caregivers, families, and communities an opportunity to say goodbye and hold a healthy space of love and support at the moment of death. It fosters a healthy grieving environment that suicide does not afford.
Suicide is a desperate act in the dark, by yourself, and the emotional and psychological ramifications of the sudden death on family, friends, and community is traumatic and can last generations.
Which experience would you choose for yourself or your loved ones if you could?
Why I’m an Advocate for MAiD
My goal in my work is to support my clients autonomy and dignity through end of life planning. My hope is that planning can help patients, caregivers, family, friends, and communities experience more graceful transitions at the end of life. And that more graceful experience of loss leads to a sense of peace - for the patient and their loved ones; an opportunity for healthy grieving; and positive experiences of death as a natural part of the cycles of life. Aside from the dignity and reduced suffering that medically assisted death provides, it also gives us the opportunity to embrace our plan, our own sacred ending.
Learn more about Medical Aid in Dying:
Compassion & Choices
Death with Dignity
Academy of Aid-in-Dying Medicine