The International Association of Suicide Prevention published on 1 December a position statement on assisted suicide and euthanasia. It is available here; I reproduce below the accompanying statement on its website.
The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) has released a Position Statement on Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia, reflecting growing global developments in legislation, policy, and public debate related to medically assisted dying. The statement provides an evidence-informed perspective on how assisted suicide and euthanasia intersect with suicide, suicidal behaviour, and broader suicide prevention efforts. It outlines the organisation’s key concerns, expectations, and recommendations for jurisdictions considering, expanding, or regulating these practices.
IASP notes that an increasing number of countries and jurisdictions are introducing or revising laws related to assisted suicide and euthanasia, sometimes referred to as “medical assistance in dying” or similar terms. As these practices evolve, the association highlights the significant potential for overlap between assisted dying and what is traditionally understood as suicide, especially when these practices are offered to individuals with chronic conditions who are not at the end of life. Evidence shows that situations that appear irremediable can often change, and that premature deaths can be prevented through effective support, treatment and follow-up.
The position statement sets out several core expectations. IASP calls on jurisdictions to engage suicide prevention expertise when considering legislation or policy expansion in this area. It emphasises that adequate psychosocial, mental health, material, and palliative supports must be in place and should always be offered systematically. The statement reinforces that death must not be positioned as a substitute for insufficient care or a lack of accessible services.
The Statement also outlines expectations for professionals and systems across suicide prevention, end-of-life care, and health services. This includes the need for training in suicide risk assessment and intervention for those involved in assisted dying decision-making, and reciprocal training for suicide prevention professionals working with individuals with severe, chronic, or terminal illnesses.
Finally, IASP calls for further research on the relationship between suicide and assisted dying, and raises concern about the lack of reliable evidence to determine long-term prognosis for individuals whose suffering is solely related to mental illness. Based on current evidence, the association concludes that access to assisted dying should not be extended to this group.
Of particular relevance for Parliamentary bodies in England / Wales and Scotland considering private members’ Bills at present might be thought to be these two parts from the IASP’s full position statement:
- Jurisdictions considering legalising and/or expanding the availability of assisted suicide and euthanasia should engage meaningfully with suicide prevention experts and/or organisations to carefully weigh concerns about overlap between what is being contemplated and what we usually consider to be suicide. Any such concerns should have a prominent impact on decision-making.
- Jurisdictions that legalise and regulate assisted suicide and euthanasia must ensure that other means to alleviate a person’s physical and emotional suffering, including provision of better psychosocial and material supports, mental health services and palliative care, are systematically offered and provided. Death should never be a substitute for adequate care and support.
