Suicidal Canadian Woman Seeking Psychiatric Help Offered Assisted Suicide Instead

The woman was afraid she’d act on her suicidal ideation and wanted help to stay alive

A Canadian woman seeking help for suicide ideation says she was told about her options for medically-assisted suicide when she visited a hospital.

In June, 37-year-old Kathrin Mentler went to Vancouver General Hospital’s Access and Assessment Centre in the hopes that she might find psychiatric help to prevent her from acting on her suicidal thoughts.

The Christian Post reports that she was told there were no beds available and that she may have a long wait for a psychiatrist, and was then told about her options for Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying or MAID program.

She told the UK-based Christian Institute that this suggestion made her feel “worthless.”

“That made me feel like my life was worthless or a problem that could be solved if I chose MAID,” she explained.

She also noted that it was odd MAID was even mentioned as it will not be available for mental health issues until next year.

Canada legalized medically-assisted suicide for patients of incurable illnesses who were experiencing abject suffering in 2016, but in 2022 the program was expanded to include non-threatening medical disabilities. Later, people who suffer from mental illness were included as well, although the expansion has been delayed until March 2024.

Please pray that the people of Canada wake up to the true value of each and every human life, and that people who are suffering from mental distress would find care that affirms their value and worth, rather than treats them like they’d be better off dead!