A legal option in some countries, which ones?

Hello h:

We don't do that in civilized culture. Therefore, I think there aren't any.

excon

Switzerland is discussing the possibility in court, but I was told that other countries had already legalized it.
And about civilized countries, I think all countries are. But if you mean first world countries, many people could consider them bellicose barbarians. But that's third world opinion.

It was legal in Hitler's Germany, where the government murdered many mentally retarded individuals (who didn't conform to the standards of excellence that was expected of the Arian race). I wouldn't call it "assisted" though.

I'm curious what you mean by "assisted suicide for mentally ill" - are you suggesting that a mentally ill person could be competent tenough to request such assistance? The topic of assisted suicide is obviously quite controversial, and while many support the idea of assisted suicide for competent people (think Dr. Kevorkian, or the state of Oregon), I've never heard of anyone seriously advocating it for the mentally ill.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by homicide suicide

A legal option in some countries, which ones?

---

YIKES!!

Switzerland (1941, physician and non-physician assisted suicide only);
Belgium (2002, permits 'euthanasia' but does not define the method;
Netherlands (voluntary euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide lawful since April 2002 but permitted by the courts since l984).

However, there are stipulations to these rulings. There has to be at least one doctor present and there has to be a psychologist present to verify the mental capacity of the person. It is not an at will decision.

Read through the following document:
Assisted Suicide Laws Around the World - Assisted Suicide

It is a very thin layer of ice to walk on, when it comes to assisted suicide with someone who is mentally ill. Even pro-euthanasia enthusiasts are careful in their assessments. Deborah Annetts, chief executive of Dignity in Dying, said any law in the country must be based on choice for competent adults who are terminally ill. "This is a fundamental safeguard. We are totally opposed to allowing people with chronic depression have help to die."

Thank you everyone for the feedback.