by Kate Flaxx

Created on: August 07, 2010

Personally, I think this debate question has the wrong wording.  Taking ones own life comes down to a personal choice, maybe an choice made in an instant, maybe something that’s thought about until the person can no longer stand to be in their own mind, maybe the choice to end physical pain or suffering from illness but ultimately a choice.

It’s not up to anyone to dictate the rights of an individual person and rights like a right to education or a right to have a drivers licence or the right to vote differ immensely from the right to end ones life.  People make choices in life and depending on circumstances; some may make the choice to not be in the world anymore.

If a person warns they are going to commit this act, then yes, everyone around them wants to do what they can to stop this from happening, a person can receive the help they need and mental illness can be treated if this is what they have, people don’t have to suffer mental illness alone and do not have to end their own lives because they feel there’s no other option.

But what about a person who has a terminal illness, someone who is going to have a long and painful death, someone who is going to spend their days in hospital just waiting for death to come to them.  No one can know their degree of pain because only they feel it.  

Suicide is an awful thing and does have a huge impact on the people left behind.  It leaves questions unanswered, sadness and people in despair.

My own reaction to the word suicide used to be, cowardly, selfish and uncaring.  That was until I was personally affected by it.  The person gave no warning and didn’t mention anything.

After losing someone, I felt angry, so angry that the person I loved would do such a selfish thing, but then after a while I thought, ‘this is what they wanted’.

Do I agree with their choice?  No, because I believe there are other options like getting help. 

Do I respect their decision?  Yes.  I knew this person and respected every other decision they made in their life.  Their decision was their own.  I wasn’t in their mind and didn’t know their pain, rationality or reasons.

Do I still love this person?  Of course, I think about them daily and wish they were here. 

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