THE END OF LIFE CHOICE REFERENDUM - 7

 THE INFLUENCE OF MENTAL ILLNESS 

The Act clearly says that it is meant for people with terminal physical illness, and excludes people with severe mental illness. It is not clear whether there is any requirement to have a psychiatric evaluation for people making an application under this Act, or whether there is a ‘presumption of Capacity (to consent)’. It is not uncommon for people to suffer from both physical and mental illness at the same time, and it is not clear whether there is any safeguard in place to protect terminally ill people from the influence of any acute mental illness on their decision-making capacity. It is a very dangerous presumption to make that everyone suffering from a terminal physical illness just wants their life to end as soon as possible!

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