Discussion If assisted suicide was legalised, do you think your families would support your decision to die?

[Forever Sleep]

So, we (rightly) spend so much of our time here discussing how assisted suicide may become less stigmatised in the hopes it might be implemented and also- how it might be implemented with regards to age restrictions, mental health and freedom of choice.

Let's say it was legalised worldwide and with very few restrictions. Let's say you were now admisable. Firstly- would you tell your whole family? Presumably, you would need to inform one person- I imagine the procedure would stay the same and they would need to identify your body before and after.

But- would your family support you in your decision do you think? Part of me wonders whether it would only be those suffereing chronic physical pain or long term mental illness who might have the full support of their families.

In which case, is it likely that some people might do it without informing their families? (Perhaps only a close friend instead.) In which case- would grieving families not then go after the government?

It's just something I've wondered really. I think we become so wrapped up in our rights and our suffering (which is valid of course) but I wonder if one of the reason assisted suicide is not yet accepted worldwide and has so many tight restrictions is the fear of the backlash it might receive from families left behind.

What are your thoughts? Do you suppose making the subjects of depression and suicide less stigmatised would open up lines of communication within families and they would be accepting of our decisions? Or, do you think many 'normies' brains simply won't accept suicide as a solution- even if it were legalised?

 

[yeti]

Nope they won't. I used to be so called normie or pro life but now I understands to ctb is not abnormal. Everyone has different capabilities to endure pain and suffering. If threshold is reached. That's it. Leave if up to individual to make the choice.

 

[jodes2]

They didn't like me saying I wanted to go to Switzerland to die, so not really. But I think they'd understand.

 

[tokapi]

I was just thinking that, actually. Often legality is associated with morality...

 

[Jadzia]

Yes. My dad understands why I want to and is pro choice.

 

[ksp]

i think society will become more sensitive and compassionate
stigmatism, ignorance, and old mentality will decrease with younger generations

 

[makethepainstop]

So, we (rightly) spend so much of our time here discussing how assisted suicide may become less stigmatised in the hopes it might be implemented and also- how it might be implemented with regards to age restrictions, mental health and freedom of choice.

Let's say it was legalised worldwide and with very few restrictions. Let's say you were now admisable. Firstly- would you tell your whole family? Presumably, you would need to inform one person- I imagine the procedure would stay the same and they would need to identify your body before and after.

But- would your family support you in your decision do you think? Part of me wonders whether it would only be those suffereing chronic physical pain or long term mental illness who might have the full support of their families.

In which case, is it likely that some people might do it without informing their families? (Perhaps only a close friend instead.) In which case- would grieving families not then go after the government?

It's just something I've wondered really. I think we become so wrapped up in our rights and our suffering (which is valid of course) but I wonder if one of the reason assisted suicide is not yet accepted worldwide and has so many tight restrictions is the fear of the backlash it might receive from families left behind.

What are your thoughts? Do you suppose making the subjects of depression and suicide less stigmatised would open up lines of communication within families and they would be accepting of our decisions? Or, do you think many 'normies' brains simply won't accept suicide as a solution- even if it were legalised?

Who said that I would discuss or talk about it with my family?

 

[Silent.Tears]

They are not that kind and understanding enough to let me out of my misery. They would rather make my life even more miserable.

 

[Forever Sleep]

Who said that I would discuss or talk about it with my family?

Yeah- that I think is part of the issue I was trying to put across. I think many people wouldn't tell their families for fear of them trying to stop them or because they know they wouldn't understand.

If they went ahead and did it, I imagine SOME families would then go after the government for allowing the law. Think about when people take their own lives- the angry families don't necessarily sympathise with their loved one that they were suffering and it was their way of escaping that suffering- they look for someone to blame- the website that told them how to do it, the manufacturers that sold them the substance in the first place (if it was something like SN.)

While I don't like it, I can see why governments are extremely hesitant about allowing assisted suicide for anyone who asks for it- for fear of backlash from SOME of the families affected.

 

[bigsadbean]

I think it depends on the situation.. Right now with the anti-suicide laws people have to hide it from their families, and use violent, disturbing methods where family members find them with a gunshot wound, hanging in the closet, blue from sn, etc. I think that definitely adds to the trauma of families when a loved one catches the bus. And it's risky to talk about it with family members because they might hospitalize the person or call for a "wellness check" aka the cops coming to your house. If it was legal it might be a lot easier for families to know what is coming, know the person fit all the criteria for assisted suicide (it probably would require a terminal disease/chronic disease resistant to treatment/the person attending therapy for x number of months,) and have the person pass peacefully in a hospital without a blue face or anything else horrible to look at. There is still a lot of stigma around mentally ill people catching the bus, regardless if they have something with no cure or that is resistant to treatment. I think my family would be upset about it and insist I just need to try more pills. But it wouldn't be their decision.

 

[FuneralCry]

Maybe many people would change their attitudes towards suicide if assisted suicide was available for us all. Because having the option of legalised assisted suicide would mean that suicide is seen as a rational decision in society and there would no longer be this view that life must be prolonged at all costs and life would be seen as having less value, I guess if our option to exit this world is accepted. But at the end of the day if assisted suicide is legalised, then there is nothing that others can really do to stop us if they respect our decision or not. It's nothing to do with them. If they wish to live then they can just carry on doing so, but not everyone wants to continue.

 

[outrider567]

No