UK folks - Documentary on assisted dying (Channel 4)

[MidnightDream]

Hey guys, there's currently a documentary on channel 4 (+1, at the moment) which follows Prue Leith and her son exploring the concept of assisted suicide.
She's very for it, and actively campaigns towards it, her son isn't. They're visiting an area in America where it is legal.
Documentaries like these are hopefully a step forward in the legalisation of assisted dying in the UK, it's certainly a hot topic right now.
I presume it'll be be on All4 if you're interested in watching later.

 

[Anon1337]

Did it feature young, suicidal people or was it just the elderly and terminally ill?

 

[MidnightDream]

Did it feature young, suicidal people or was it just the elderly and terminally ill?

I'm only half way through, but at the moment it's only elderly/terminally ill. Focusing a lot on Canada and their laws. I don't think there'll ever be a law which will allow suicidal people to end their lives, unfortunately, without other medical factors influencing this.

I'm only half way through, but at the moment it's only elderly/terminally ill. Focusing a lot on Canada and their laws. I don't think there'll ever be a law which will allow suicidal people to end their lives, unfortunately, without other medical factors influencing this.

For anyone interested that doesn't have time to watch -
One of the main issues brought up on the 'against' side, is ageism and ableism influencing doctors to almost promote the idea of assisted dying to eligible categories over offering long-term care options, which I've found interesting. I could absolutely see this happening in the UK, since our healthcare system is so underfunded. It would be interesting to see how the risk of this could be mitigated if a law like this was to be introduced into the UK.
I'm about a third of the way through now, and they've just started to discuss mental illness. I'll update shortly..
So they've shown a case study of a guy with PTSD who has attempted suicide twice, who is wanting to pursue medical assistance in dying. It's not currently available to those with mental illness, but from what I've gathered, they are planning on legalising it in Canada in the near future. I can't imagine this becoming legal in the UK in my lifetime.. The debate presented is that mental suffering is equal to physical suffering. Very interesting documentary, and I would recommend. It's very balanced, showing perspectives both for and against, and handles it in a particularly unbiased way.