Suicide: An Ethical Delimna

[robvalue]

Aren't all those things we have already? To some extent at least. Things can be improved.

Yes, that's what I mean by usual caveats, if you have reason to believe someone is not in their normal state of mind, there's a good argument for preventing them to kill themselves. That is an exception. But otherwise, short of committing anyone you suspect is suicidal, I don't know what practical steps you can take. If there's no signs, there's no action to take.

Education on spotting the signs would be a great thing, I don't know if there's enough of that. That would help support, which I'm all for.

Support, but not dictation. If a psychiatrist comes to the conclusion that someone is not in their usual state of mind and is likely to return, then you do have a case for restraint.

Also, education about the effects of suicide on the living wouldn't be a bad thing.

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But simply put, if someone is in their right mind and wants to die, I think it's wrong to stop them from doing so. I'm not saying don't try, you could stop their attempt if the situation allows and try your best to get them help, I'd have no problem with that. I mean stop them from executing a well thought out decision. If you have reason to think it isn't well thought out, then intervention is justified.

What I would have a problem with is then forcing them to live under suicide watch indefinitely because they are "not allowed" to make that choice.