Are right-to-die activists making suicide contagious?
The Revolutionary Ketamine Book
Are we on the brink of a societal shift regarding end-of-life choices? There’s been an increase in the debate around euthanasia, particularly for young people with mental illness. I read Ms. Subramanya’s article in The Free Press with interest. A Dutch woman wants to end her life because she doesn’t want to be a burden, and per her psychiatrist, she is at the end of a cul-de-sac — a dead-end in French. This article is problematic on many levels.
‘I’m 28. And I’m Scheduled to Die in May.’
This is virtue signaling for the right-to-die activists. They are advocating broader access to euthanasia, sparking discussions about its potential impacts on vulnerable individuals and the larger community. We are seeing this in Canada, where some 13,000 individuals in 2022 have been euthanized. In the Netherlands, that number is over 8000, up from 4000 in 2010. However, there is a pressing question: could this push for choices end up making suicide more common? Let’s examine this complicated and controversial issue in more detail.
In these seemingly hopeless situations, assistance is available. In my book, The Revolutionary Ketamine, my SPEAK Talk, and last Substack post, I discuss Olive’s story. From a young age, she battled depression, bipolar disorder, and suicidal thoughts and made numerous attempts to take her own life. By the time she reached her 20s, she had followed her shadow into the Nietzschean depths of hell and decided that euthanasia was her only recourse. She paid for the appointment and the flight and got her things in order. On the very day she was to leave, a friend persuaded her to undergo ketamine treatment at a clinic in Florida. Olive went to the clinic and received 3 ketamine treatments in a week. She never boarded that flight to the Netherlands and still hasn’t, to my knowledge. You can read more about this story in chapter 3 of my book.
Some Right-To-Die Activists Want Everyone to Have Access to Euthanasia
In the realm of end-of-life decisions, a growing number of activists are advocating for expanded access to euthanasia. They argue that individuals should have the autonomy to choose how and when they wish to pass away, free from unnecessary suffering.
These proponents believe that everyone, regardless of age or health status, should have the right to consider euthanasia as a legitimate option. They aim to empower individuals in their final moments by pushing for legislative changes and societal acceptance.
Providing universal access to euthanasia raises complex ethical questions about quality of life versus quantity. In the face of terminal illness or unbearable suffering, it challenges traditional beliefs about death and dying and emphasizes personal agency. A person who has incurable cancer riddled with tumors isn’t the same as a mentally ill person contemplating suicide.
As this movement gains momentum, it forces us to confront our biases and fears surrounding mortality. The conversation around euthanasia is far from over, with passionate voices on both sides advocating for what they believe is a fundamental human right: the ability to choose one’s fate. It’s also intriguing that human’s are the only animal that commits suicide.
Are They Also Making Suicide Contagious?
The debate around euthanasia for young people with mental illness raises concerns about the potential contagion effect of suicide. Some argue that by normalizing and legalizing assisted suicide, there could be a harmful ripple effect on vulnerable individuals. The fear is that making euthanasia more accessible may inadvertently glamorize or romanticize the idea of ending one’s life prematurely, which is what this person in the article is doing. Most mental health practitioners would point out that a person who’s on the verge of suicide isn’t interested in posting pictures of themselves looking comfortable and smiling, romanticizing the idea that somehow this is all for the better good. It’s exactly the opposite. Suicidal persons are at war with their minds, are mentally distressed, walking in the fog with heavy lead boots, and have lost their orientation in life. Their minds have been hijacked, telling them to end life prematurely. Only one’s intuition might be able to save you or your loved one’s life.
While advocates emphasize autonomy and compassion in supporting individuals who are suffering, it’s essential to consider the broader implications of widespread access to euthanasia. Balancing individual rights with public health concerns remains a complex ethical dilemma that requires thoughtful reflection and consideration from all stakeholders involved in this contentious issue. Having the State direct and support assistance with suicide is fraught with complications. Countries like Canada and the Netherlands are already examples.
Why Are Suicides Increasing in Young People?
Young people with mental illness face unique challenges when it comes to the topic of euthanasia. The debate around their access to assisted dying is complex and sensitive. Society must continue discussing this issue openly, carefully considering all perspectives and implications. This death-with-dignity movement promotes a false notion about being compassionate. But there’s nothing compassionate about it; the unintended consequences will be devastating.
Today, youth are less willing to put down roots in communities and often estrange their loved ones and parents. This has been highlighted by the French sociologist Emile Durkheim, perhaps the most profound thinker about the nature of society. In 1897, he published Suicide – A Study in Sociology, about the social causes of suicide. He drew on data just becoming available as governments began to keep statistics. He wrote that in France, the general rule was that the more tightly people are bound into a community that has the moral authority to restrain their desires, the less likely they are to kill themselves. This became a central concept for Durkheim and the study of suicidology. He also wrote that when we feel the social order weakening or dissolving, we don't feel liberated, but lost and anxious. An absence of stable and widely shared norms and rules lead to higher suicide rates. Durkheim was concerned that modernity with its rapid and disorienting changes and its tendency to weaken the grip of traditional religions, fosters suicide.
Research suggests that media coverage and societal attitudes toward suicide can indeed influence others, especially those already struggling with mental health issues. This phenomenon, often referred to as “suicide contagion,” underscores the need for caution when discussing end-of-life options for young people experiencing psychological distress. Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation, highlights that youth mental illness, particularly in young girls, is an epidemic driven in part by phones and social media.
Finding a balance between respecting autonomy and safeguarding vulnerable individuals will be vital in navigating this ethically intricate terrain. Reorienting these young people towards the greater good is the first step. Talking to someone and getting help is vital. Psychological therapy and psychedelics can help. If your loved one is faced with suicide, would you consider ketamine, or any psychedelic for that matter? Vulnerable people need help and those who will fight to get them better. If you are suffering from severe depression, the risk versus reward is clearly in favor of using ketamine now.
Is the right-to-die movement spreading like wildfire, or are we just seeing a natural shift in attitudes toward end-of-life choices? Join the conversation and weigh in on whether this controversial topic is making suicide more contagious. #righttodie #endoflifechoices #stopsuicide