How do the mental health issues differ in the withholding/withdrawing of treatment versus assisted death?
This article reviews ten of the most common mental health-related arguments against assisted death and applies them to the withholding/withdrawal of treatment to determine if the concerns expressed are truly unique to assisted death. After this analysis it is suggested that the mandatory involvement of a mental health professional can alleviate many of the concerns specifically associated with assisted death and that a mental health professional may also be helpful in situations involving the withholding/withdrawal of treatment.
Werth
J L
JL
Department of Psychiatry, Third Floor, Polsky Building, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-4301, USA.
D003068:Coercion; D003863:Depression; D005066:Euthanasia, Passive / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D009042:Motivation; D024382:Professional Role; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D019452:Terminally Ill / Q000523:psychology; D026712:Value of Life