Medical assistance in dying for those with mental illness as the sole underlying condition.
Bill C-7 committed to convening a panel of experts to recommend protocols, guidance, and safeguards to apply to requests made for medical assistance in dying by persons who have a mental illness. That panel was convened in August 2021 and submitted their report to the Minister of Health and Justice on May 13, 2022.
On June 22, 2022, the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying tabled its interim report on MAID for those with a mental disorder as the sole underlying condition. On October 17, 2022, the Committee is expected to table its final report, covering all aspects of the Parliamentary Review.
A 2021 national survey conducted by Ipsos showed that 65% of Canadians support access to MAID for those whose sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness if they meet all other criteria and have the capacity to provide informed consent.
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The Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying’s Interim Report features a recommendation to ensure that the recommendations of the Expert Panel are implemented in “a timely manner.” It also included a Dissenting Interim Report from the Conservative Members of Parliament who serve on the Committee.
19 recommendations for establishing a MAID regime that addresses situations regarding incurability, irreversibility, individual capacity, suicidality and the impact of structural vulnerabilities.
As part of our mission to educate and share knowledge, we are examining each issue of the Parliamentary Review in a series of blog posts. In this blog post, we discuss MAID for those with a mental illness.
John Scully is a former CBC/CTV/BBC journalist who has incurable depression, general anxiety disorder, and PTSD from covering over thirty-five wars.
Cody, an Alberta man in his late 30s, has been living with treatment-resistant depression and anxiety, as well as addiction. Facing continued suffering, his wish is to access medical assistance in dying (MAID).
The mother of a daughter who suffers from mental illness shares her story and insight into her daughter’s lived experience.
“The legislation includes an obligation for the Minister of Health and the Minister of Justice to initiate an independent expert review ‘respecting recommended protocols, guidance and safeguards to apply to requests for medical assistance in dying by persons who have a mental illness.’”
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) for people whose sole medical condition is mental illness is set to become legal in Canada in March 2023. We know that people have a lot of questions about MAiD for mental illness and CAMH’s position on this issue. This FAQ should help provide you with some answers.
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