Preserving hope for Canadians with mental illness

Struggles with mental illness hit close to home for most of us. One in three Canadians sought mental health support in the past year, according to a recent poll. Nearly 10 per cent more said they needed help but did not seek access to it. And more than 40 per cent of those who did seek help say they faced barriers in getting the help they needed. Despite these barriers, a new “treatment option” for mental illness will soon be available. As of March 17, 2024, Canadians with mental illness will be eligible to access euthanasia. But offering euthanasia sends a message to people with mental illness that there may be no hope for them anymore. That they might not be worth the trouble anymore. That if they feel their life isn’t worth living, they might be right. As reported by Global News, when Kathrin Mentler had a mental health crisis, she sought professional help. Instead of support, she was offered medical assistance in dying (MAID). Imagine if you or a family member showed up at a hospital, suicidal, and staff started talking about how doctors could take care of your suicide for you. Mentler actively reached out for help only for staff to suggest death as a solution to mental distress. The medical system was overwhelmed, and MAID seemed like a quicker, easier solution than providing the necessary help. Daniel Zekveld is a policy analyst with the Association for Reformed Political Action Canada. Photograph courtesy of ARPA There is no consensus in the medical community on whether mental illness can ever be considered irremediable. As some medical professionals have noted, allowing MAID for mental illness “will come at the high cost of prematurely ending the lives of those who could possibly have recovered and enjoyed long meaningful lives with family and loved ones.” A person suffering from mental illness needs to hear that there is hope they can recover. That was the theme of World Suicide Prevention Day in September: “Creating Hope Through Action,” which reminds Canadians that there is help and that there is an alternative to ending their lives. Canadians have dedicated multiple days and weeks to promoting positive mental health and helping those who struggle with mental illness. Whether it’s Bell Let’s Talk Day in January, Mental Health Week in May, World Suicide Prevention Day in September, or World Mental Health Day in October, Canadians understand the need to support those with mental illness. Improving mental health supports was also a key concern in recent polling. Most Canadians (82 per cent) agree that euthanasia should not be legalized for mental illness without at least improving access to care first. In general, 28 per cent of Canadians support legalizing MAID for mental illness, while 50 per cent are opposed, and the remainder are unsure. Those who support such an expansion and those who oppose it share the goal of relieving suffering. But the solution is vastly different. People who want to end their own lives and those asking a physician to end their lives are both suicidal. So how can the medical system decide whose wish to die should be granted or not? The experiences of Mentler and others have shown that safeguards around MAID will not protect all vulnerable Canadians. Further, no number of safeguards will offer hope to those who are suffering from mental illness and tell them that their lives are worth living. The solution is simple. Canada should cancel MAID for mental illness before it comes into effect next March. Bill C-314 is currently before Parliament and seeks to do just that, with a vote expected this month. The bill’s preamble rightly warns that “Canada’s medical assistance in dying regime risks normalizing assisted dying as a solution for those suffering from a mental disorder.” Members of Parliament have heard from Canadians on both sides of this issue. At the very least, MPs should support the bill at second reading in the House of Commons so that the bill can proceed to a parliamentary committee for further discussion and review. In the meantime, all Canadians should encourage our politicians to preserve and promote hope for recovery for those who are suffering. Daniel Zekveld is a policy analyst with the Association for Reformed Political Action Canada. The Hill Times