MAiD Should Not Be An Option Ever Canadian Mental Health

”Medically assisted dying should not be an option—not now and not two years from now” says the Canadian Mental Health Association. CMHA

If someone in your family commits suicide, you can thank Justin Trudeau. Blame yourself for voting him into power in 2021.

”The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is deeply disappointed that the government supports allowing those with mental illnesses to seek medical assistance in dying.”

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is deeply disappointed that the government supports allowing those with mental illnesses to seek medical assistance in dying.With the passage of Bill C7, Justin Trudeau will open the floodgates of legal suicide to all Canadians with mental illness.

The Conservatives will protect the lives of the mentally ill,

“When it comes to Medical Assista nce in Dying (MAID), Conservatives will:..Repealing the Bill C-7 provision allowing MAID for those with mental health challenges.” Secure the Future, Secure Healthcare, page 64

Suicide is the final act of a person with depression.  The burden of suicide remains with the family and friends of the deceased for the rest of their lives.

One in five Canadians will have mental illness in their lives. It touches every family. Most people recover from depression and are relieved when thoughts of suicide pass.  CMHA

Suicide prevention organizations will have their life-saving work undercut by government service. It makes no logical sense.

My experience with mental illness and suicidal thoughts

I have lived through multiple threats of suicide. My first wife went through a rough patch of borderline disorder. “If you go to work, I’m going to kill myself,” was a constant threat.

One of my sons had a bipolar episode with deep depression. His mother lived in fear he would commit suicide. “Go down to the basement,” she worried every day. “See if he has hanged himself.” Thankfully we got positive professional medical help, and those days passed. It’s been decades, and they are both alive.

Under Trudeau’s MAiD program, they could have applied for legally assisted suicide.

The clock is ticking on MAiD

After March 17, 2023,  people with depression and suicidal thoughts will access government services for suicide prevention and a self-administered suicide kit.

March 17, 2023, is law automatically putting the depressed at risk of suicide. Since PM Justin Trudeau forced the Liberal caucus to vote for MAid, we don’t expect any change.

This service is called MAiD for Medical Assistance in Dying, and it was the fervent, dying wish of Pierre Elliot Trudeau. He asked Justin Trudeau, his son. to make it happen in Canada.  Ghost of Pierre Trudeau Consumes Justin Trudeau On Euthanasia

Is MAiD Suicide?

“Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one’s own death.^[9] Mental disorders (including depression, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders), nihilistic beliefs, physical disorders (such as chronic fatigue syndrome) and substance use disorders (including alcohol use disorder)” (Wikipedia)

“Suicide is a major cause of premature and preventable death. It is estimated that in 2009 alone, there were about 100,000 years of potential life lost to Canadians under the age of 75 due to suicides.

Research shows that mental illness is the most important risk factor for suicide; and that more than 90% of people who commit suicide have a mental or addictive disorder.”  Statscan Suicide An Overview

Canadian Mental Health Association opposes MAiD

The  Liberal government presented no scientific evidence House of Commons and Senate to support the need for MAiD for the mentally ill.   Physicians and mental health professionals said Bill C7 was wrong.

An Angus Reid Poll found that 69% of Canadians think Bill C-7 may “lead to people with mental health issues like depression choosing death. 68 percent of those polled say leaders should pay attention to important concerns raised by a UN report critical of the lack of safeguards.” Poll shows many Canadians are worried about expanding assisted suicide

“We are definitely not in favour of allowing mental illness to be the reason to request medically assisted suicide,” Phyllis O’Connor, the executive director of the CMHA Saskatchewan division, said.

“Mental illness, while we’re not discounting how serious the suffering can be, it’s not a terminal illness. There’s always hope, with proper supports and access to services, for recovery for people.” CTV News

The Conservatives opposed  Bill C7 in the final March 2021 vote. The NDP actually supported Bill C7 until the final vote in the House of Commons.  The Bloc supported the Liberals. A few Liberals voted against the bill or abstained.  PM Trudeau can and did bend the caucus to his will.

Only Erin O’Toole has promised to protect Canadians with mental illness from government-sponsored suicide.