We are grateful for the bold statement from the Maryland and Washington Psychiatric Societies commenting on the issues and dangers of assisted suicide, particularly as it pertains to people with psychiatric disabilities.
“Many serious medical conditions are known to cause a variety of capacity-impairing mental disorders, such as clinical depression, cognitive impairment, and delirium. Indeed, as many as 25% of patients diagnosed with terminal illnesses may suffer from clinical depression… A recent study showed that more than half of patients in hospice care exhibit unrecognized cognitive impairment, and these deficits are directly related to impaired decision-making capacity. Furthermore, a psychological screening tool that physicians could use is insufficient to detect all conditions that could cause impairment, nor does any existing screening tool have the ability to detect a patient who deliberately conceals his/her symptoms.”
Matt Vallière in the Los Angeles Times Thanks to the LA Times for sharing Matt’s letter, which strongly opposes assisted suicide laws. Read his letter to the editor below: Steve Lopez asks, “Will the option [of assisted suicide] be there for others?” To plaintiffs in the referenced lawsuit and many in the disability, older adult
Celebrating 33 Years of the ADA Today marks the 33rd anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). On this day, July 26th, 1990, the ADA was signed and enshrined civil rights protections into law for people with disabilities. Today and every ADA anniversary, the Patients’ Rights Action Fund (PRAF) celebrates the
Advocates for Assisted Suicide Begin to Fear the Case in California Proponents of assisted suicide are beginning to write articles and speak up about their worries and opposition to the case filed in California to end assisted suicide. While the initial response to this groundbreaking case was severely delayed, opinion pieces and statements of opposition
