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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2013 13:07:43 GMT
Anyone watch the soaps? Coronation Street in particular.
To those who don't keep up with it, Hayley, a transgender woman, has terminal pancreatic cancer. She is planning on committing suicide when her cancer gets to the point where she is so drugged up that her memory regresses to the point where she believes she is Harold (her birth name) again. Her husband feels she is being selfish by wanting to kill herself instead of letting her cancer take it's course.
Being a mental health NPO, suicide comes up a lot. But what are your views on the right to die?
Note: Healthy debate is encouraged but aggressive posts will be deleted and the thread locked.
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Post by Kimberley on Nov 11, 2013 20:53:52 GMT
This is a really interesting question Laura, but like you say, one which must be handled with a lot of sensitivity. Unfortunately, I'm still on the fence on this issue. I see the points on both sides - with a terminal illness, or a disability such as locked in syndrome, I can see why individuals would want control over the time they want to die, and in some ways, I would want to have the option should I face the situation. However, I can also see how this is devastating for the family. It must be extremely difficult for them to hear someone expressing their wishes to die and not being able to take away their pain.
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Post by mia on Nov 12, 2013 17:54:05 GMT
I think this is the perfect example of how mental health differs from physical health, and actually your question has prompted me to challenge my own views on this.
In MH, suicide is look upon as the ultimate defeat and something to be avoided and prevented at all costs, but when physical health comes into play, taking your own life becomes a viable option to maintain your dignity. Would we say someone who has committed suicide due to their mental health died in dignity? I know when I have been in situations where this has become a very attractive option that dignified is the last word I'd use to describe myself.
I've often thought that if I had a serious physical illness which was terminal, it might be something I'd consider, and I can understand and empathise with those who have taken that option. I suppose the major difference is in Hayley's case is that she IS going to die, whether it's on her terms or from the cancer, the outcome is the same. Whereas with MH, there's always the chance for recovery.
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