When we announced the lawsuit challenging the discriminatory exclusion of people whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness from MAID, people began reaching out because they finally felt heard and wanted to help advocate for this change. Here are three stories from DWDC supporters who live with treatment-resistant mental illnesses who are tired of the stigma and want to shed light on this often dismissed topic.

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Medical assistance in dying (MAID) for those whose sole underlying condition is a mental illness is a very complex issue. I get there are philosophical and religious concerns, but when it comes to mental illness, in some cases, treatments and medications to help a person do not work. A lot of other effort has to be made by them – exercise, meditation, diet etc. – but even then, that’s not enough.

Medical professionals have the utmost compassion and care for their patients but it’s hard to comprehend a subjective suffering, unless you know firsthand. There are advocates who have taken their lives due to this, and I think society needs to address this seriously. MAID should definitely be considered in these clinical, untreatable mental conditions.

I think we have to look at this from a medical standpoint and acknowledge that this in fact exists (I’m one of them) and in order to offer equity and dignity to intelligent caring individuals, instead of sweeping it under the rug, someone needs to pay attention. – N.K. 

I was diagnosed with my mental illness back in my early twenties. However, I have suffered longer than my diagnosis. I have Bipolar 1 and through the years I have seen several doctors, psychiatrists, religious leaders as well as tried many different treatments. 

It has been 35 years since my diagnosis, and I still struggle with my illness. There is no cure to my mental illness and putting a band-aid on it is no way to live. I would like to apply for MAID, but the government has taken that right from me because I am a “vulnerable” person. Anyone making a decision like this is vulnerable – I have been judged and criticized for my decision. It is easy to do so when one hasn’t suffered 35 years with a mental illness. 

I would like the choice just like other people suffering from an illness that has no cure. – Sandra M. 

I suffer from multiple mental illnesses, and I would like to access medical assistance in dying (MAID). I find it frustrating and paternalistic when others tell me what I can and cannot do, without knowing me or my experience.

I had a psychiatrist for 20 years and after he retired my family doctor has supported my health care. I experienced a great deal of trauma in my 63 years, and I have attempted to take my life several times in various ways. I have been diagnosed with Dysthymia, GAD, PTSD and Avoidant Personality. I have become housebound, I may have developed a type of agoraphobia, and I do what I can to sleep through the day and night because when I am awake, I suffer.

I do not understand why the suffering from my longstanding, treatment resistant mental illnesses is considered different than the suffering a person experiences from physical conditions – and excludes me from MAID.   

The concerns about vulnerable people accessing MAID don’t hold water; there are strict criteria and safeguards to ensure only those who have ‘grievous and irremediable’ conditions are found eligible for MAID. I believe I have grievous and irremediable mental illnesses, and I know my Charter rights are being violated.

I am grateful that the exclusion of mental illnesses from MAID is being challenged in court. – Heather C.