Most reject assisted death for psychological suffering

An overwhelming majority of Canadians believes psychological suffering on its own should never be grounds for granting a doctor-assisted death.

While Canadians seem particularly appalled with the idea of allowing assisted suicide for “mature minors” with psychological suffering, a majority supports lethal prescriptions for terminally ill children and youth, a new poll suggests.

The Angus Reid survey of 1,517 Canadian adults, released in advance to the National Post, “goes beyond asking, should we, to, how should we, and where should the limits lie,” said Shachi Kurl, executive director of the Angus Reid Institute. “We’re starting to see where the pushback exists.”

The results suggest Canadians are not in line with recommendations in a parliamentary report calling for broad access to assisted death.

The Liberal-dominated panel’s report, released in February, called for extending assisted death to the mentally ill. But 78 per cent of those surveyed said “psychological suffering” on its own should not meet criteria for a doctor-hastened death. The opposition was even sharper among those 55 and older.

“We understand that when we’re talking about mental illness and physician-assisted dying this is a difficult and challenging conversation,” said Shanaaz Gokool, CEO of Dying with Dignity Canada. “But what if you’re talking about someone who has had a severe psychological condition for decades and they’ve tried every treatment and there’s nothing left for them?”

Few of those polled were at either extreme when asked what laws governing assisted suicide should look like, with 12 per cent saying no regulation at all and 10 per cent calling for an outright ban. Most (76 per cent) supported assisted-suicide for the terminally ill with less than six months to live as well as for people with intense pain.

In the case of children, 58 per cent supported assisted suicide to terminally ill teens under 18, but were overwhelming opposed in cases of severe psychological suffering only.

PHIL CARPENTER An overwhelming majority of Canadians support assisted suicide but only in cases of terminally ill people or those suffering severe physical pain.