Anorexia & Depression

Key Points

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What’s Wrong with Legalising assisted suicide?

How do people with Anorexia qualify?

In Oregon, people with anorexia who refuse treatment are deemed to be terminally ill and can be given assisted suicide.

One study shows over 60 cases of people with anorexia being given assisted suicide have occurred in Belgium, the Netherlands and the USA.

DONNA DUNCAN

61-year-old retired Canadian nurse, Donna, had concussion after a minor car accident. This led to months of mental and physical decline during which she began to restrict her food intake.

Unable to be seen by a local clinic due to the waiting list, she applied for MAiD and was approved within days on account of her low weight. Soon after, she was euthanised despite her daughters’ objections that she lacked mental capacity for the decision.

What’s Wrong with Legalising assisted suicide?

Depression

Clinical depression is associated with terminal illness in about 25 percent of people.

In Oregon only around 1% (3 people) of those having an assisted suicide were referred for psychiatric evaluation in 2023. That means around 87 people, who would have been clinciially depressed, were given assistance to commit suicide without being given basic psychiatric support or treatment.

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