Suicide Prevention? Yes. and Euthanasia Prevention!

Living with Dignity Media Release - Montréal, January 27, 2014

Québec's National Suicide Prevention Week will take place from February 2 - 8, 2014. This year’s theme speaks volume and will certainly be supported by a majority of citizens: 

“You are important to us. Suicide is not an option.” 

The Living With Dignity network salutes this important initiative.

At the same time, members of the National Assembly are about to vote on Bill 52, An Act respecting end-of-life care. If passed, this bill will legalise euthanasia in Quebec. How ironic! On one hand desperate people will be told “Don’t kill yourself, seek help”. On the other hand, they will hear “We’ll help you die”.

One of the objectives of the Prevention week is to provoke a “culture change towards the suicide problem in Quebec.” This is an excellent idea, since the current culture forgets that euthanasia is also a dangerous idea – a practice that goes hand in hand with suicide.

The causes of suicide are complex, but the people who take this fatal act usually do so to put an end to their emotional or physical pain. However, one of the eligibility criteria to “medical aid in dying” (the euphemism used by Bill 52 to disguise euthanasia) is that the person must be experiencing physical or psychological pain that they judge intolerable (even if they are refusing treatment, including for depression). Yet, doctors specialising in palliative care keep repeating that modern medicine can relieve physical pain.

Bill 52 is not necessary. It is dangerous and threatens the security of the most vulnerable.

Do not forget that one day we will all become vulnerable. Prevent suicide. And block any project allowing euthanasia, regardless of its disguise. 

Urge your MNA to vote against Bill 52.

Source: Living With Dignity. Follow us on Twitter: @vivredignite

For further information or to organise an interview, please contact:

Nicolas Steenhout, Director General Living With Dignity
info@vivredignite.com
438-931-1233