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Is Suicide Illegal? Suicide Laws By Country

Discussing suicide legislation is a tricky subject because “suicide” itself is a very polarizing topic. There are typically people that believe it is “wrong” to commit suicide because the act is inherently selfish and leaves the victim’s family (or survivors) to deal with distress. Additionally some view the act of killing oneself as being “sinful” or against a certain set of religious beliefs.

Then there are individuals who believe that everyone should have the freedom to commit suicide and take their own life if they are living in a constant state of pain and suffering. Typically the individuals that are “pro-choice” on the topic of suicide are people that understand what it’s like to deal with the everyday pain of a chronic illness or they have seen someone they know struggle with a certain disease or illness.

In most cases, the causes of suicide are related to depression.  In 90% of cases, it was found that the person who ended up committing suicide did so as a result of untreated depression.  In most assisted-suicides, people are simply trying to help alleviate another person of chronic suffering associated with terminal illnesses.  Although most people do not consider the legality of “suicide,” failed attempts and/or assistance in the process could get you into legal trouble.

Is suicide illegal?

In many places throughout the world, attempting suicide or even following through with the act is considered a crime. So how can suicide possibly be illegal if you are dead, how are you still affected by law? In the event that someone commits suicide, (in some cases) the person’s property can be seized by the government and bills for treatment of the corpse can be sent to the person’s survivors or living family members.

Additionally in some countries (e.g. North Korea), a surviving family may be ostracized by the government. It should also be noted that in some countries, if you attempt suicide and fail, you could be criminalized. Most legal repercussions have been created out of religion. For example, in many religions, the act is viewed as being offensive or a “sin.”

Is assisted suicide illegal?

In many countries it is also a crime to assist others, whether it be directly or indirectly with the act of suicide. In some cases even encouraging the act of suicide is viewed as a crime. Only under strict legal conditions is assisted suicide approved – and usually this involves an experienced physician.

Suicide Laws: By Country

Below are laws related to the act of suicide as well as “assisted-suicide” throughout various countries.

United States: In the past, many states had laws that regarded the act of suicide as a felony, but these laws were seldom enforced. In the 1980s, 30 out of 50 United States has no laws opposing suicide or attempting suicide. With that said, all 50 states had laws stating that assisted suicide is a felony. Currently there is no law against the act of committing suicide in the United States.

In some cases though, suicide is considered “common law crime” unless the victim can be proven to have been of “unsound mind.” Most lawsuits regarding suicide happen when the person is under supervision of a jail or hospital and the victim’s family sues these institutions for negligence. Physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill is legal in Oregon and Washington.

In cases of physician-assisted suicide, the patient must have less than 6 months to live, be of sound mind, make a request vocally and on paper, have it approved by multiple physicians, and then wait 15 days, followed by another request. In the state of California, all medical facilities are required to send all suicidal people in for evaluation and treatment.

  • Australia: In the state of Victoria, suicide itself is not considered a crime. However if a suicide pact is made and one party survives, they could be charged with manslaughter. Additionally it is a crime to assist others in suicide and the law allows others to use whatever force deemed necessary to prevent another person from committing suicide.
  • Belgium: In 2002, the “Euthanasia” Act” made euthanasia legal, but assisted suicide was deemed illegal. In 2006, changes were made to euthanasia law making it legal under certain regulations. These conditions included: patient must be an adult and in “futile medical condition” with “physical or mental suffering” that cannot be remedied. Patients must also have a long-standing history with the physician that plans on being part of the process. Additionally there must be several requests that are reviewed by a commission and approved by multiple physicians before the act can take place.
  • Canada: In 1972, the act of suicide was removed as being a criminal action. In 1993, a law was created that prohibited any form of assisted suicide. There has been some controversy in recent years surrounding the ban of physician-assisted suicide. Many disabled individuals feel as though they should have a right to assisted suicide under Canadian law. Additionally anyone who compels or entices a person to commit suicide is subject to criminal penalty regardless of whether the individual carries through with the act. In 2014, physician-assisted suicide became legal only in the province of Quebec.
  • China: Any form of assisted-suicide, including with assistance from a physician is considered illegal in China. Many individuals have protested this law and demanded some sort of change as a result of the pain and suffering associated with terminal illnesses.
  • Colombia: In this country, physician-assisted suicide is considered legal for terminally ill patients. This law was taken to court, but upheld with a 6 to 3 ruling. Although physician-assisted suicide is legal here, there aren’t any specific rules or regulations for physicians and patients to follow.
  • Denmark: Assisted-suicide of all forms is considered illegal and is viewed as a manslaughter crime. This is punishable of up to 3 years in prison.
  • England: All laws against suicide were kept in place until 1961. They were originally thought to be offensive to God and the Crown of the country. With the passing of the Suicide Act in 1961, suicide was no longer considered a crime. However, this act states that it is considered an offense to assist in a suicide. It is thought that the assisted suicide laws in this country may be revised.
  • Estonia: The act of suicide is legal here as well as assisted-suicide.
  • Finland: There is nothing in Finnish criminal law regarding assisted-suicide. In the event that assisted-suicide is rightfully justified, no action is taken against the assistant. Finnish physicians are not known to partake in assisted-suicide or euthanasia.
  • France: All forms of assisted-suicide are considered illegal in France and anyone aiding in a suicide can be arrested. In 2013 it was stated that the country will be holding a debate on the issue, and many polls demonstrate overwhelming support in support of an assisted-suicide law. France also has a ban on all suicide-related publications.
  • Germany: Suicide itself is considered legal in this country. Assisting with a suicide by providing materials is also considered legal here. However, killing someone to satisfy their demands is illegal. Encouraging another person to commit suicide is viewed as irrelevant in this country.  Only when a suicidal person is not acting out of “free will” (i.e. manipulated will) is assistance punishable as a homicide. The person is not believed to have free will when: under 14, dealing with mental illness, or acting as result of an emergency. It should also be noted that if someone assists in suicide, and the person who wants to die is still alive (unconscious), they must make an effort to save the person or it could be viewed as a criminal offense.  Additionally people who are in positions of “warrantor” such as: doctors, police officers, parents, etc. are responsible for making efforts to prevent suicides. If they do not make these efforts, they could be charged with “homicide by omission.”
  • Hungary: This country has among the highest rates of suicide in the world. Assisted-suicide or attempted suicide carries a punishment of imprisonment for up to 5 years. Euthanasia by physicians is also regarded as an illegal activity.
  • Iceland: Assisted-suicide is illegal in this country and there is no desire to change these laws.
  • India: Any attempted suicide in this country is punishable by law. If a person attempts to commit suicide here, they can be punished with imprisonment of up to 1 year as well as fines. Since the suicide rate in India is above average compared to other countries, many citizens are pushing for changes in legislation.
  • Ireland: In this country, any attempted suicide is not considered a criminal offense. Under Irish legislation, any form of self-harm is not considered a suicide attempt. Suicide was revoked from illegal status in this country in 1993. Assisted suicide and euthanasia are illegal, but residents are fighting this legislation.
  • Japan: Committing suicide is considered illegal, but it is not punishable.  Assisted-suicide is considered illegal and anyone found assisting in suicide can be legally punished. There have been instances in which Japan approved medical voluntary euthanasia, but these cases are few and far between, and must be approved by a high court.
  • Luxembourg: Suicide itself is considered legal and assisted-suicide was made legal in 2009. Despite that fact, people can be legally penalized for not assisting someone else in danger. Euthanasia, however, is considered illegal in his country.
  • Netherlands: In the Netherlands, it is acceptable to be present and provide moral support during someone’s suicide. Supplying suicide information regarding techniques is also not illegal. With that said, it is considered a crime to participate in the preparation of a person’s execution. This means that you are not allowed to supply any suicide supplies (e.g. substance or tools) or give instructions as to how they can be used. Physician-assisted suicide is not punishable if the physician uses proper care and the “Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide Act” from 2002. Physicians involved in assisted-suicide are required to report euthanasia to review committees.
  • New Zealand: This country has no laws against the act of suicide in the event that it is non-assisted (i.e. personal). Euthanasia is considered illegal here, despite that multiple attempts to pass legislation supporting it. Under the New Zealand Crimes Act of 1961, it is illegal to assist someone with suicide.
  • North Korea: This is a country in which suicide rates are considerably lower than average. It is thought that the reason suicide rates are low is due to the burden suicide would have on a person’s family. It is thought that if someone commits suicide, it is possible for the government to purge or ostracize the rest of that person’s family and relatives. In this country there is strict social pressure and an unforgiving nature surrounding suicide.
  • Norway: Attempting or committing suicide is not illegal in this country.
  • Romania: In this country, the act of suicide is legal. However if you assist someone in suicide by encouraging them or helping set it up, this is considered a criminal offense. In the event that you assist in a suicide, you could face up to 10 years in prison.
  • Russia: Anyone who is suicidal can be put into a psychiatric hospital in this country. In Russia, if you encourage someone to commit suicide by humiliating them, treating them cruelly, or by making threats, you could end up in prison for up to 5 years. Federal law in this country requires censoring information about suicide and methods on the internet. Even websites that contain suicide jokes are censored in Russia. The rate of teenage suicides in this country is 3x greater than the world average.
  • Scotland: If someone commits suicide by themselves, it is not considered a criminal offense. In some cases, committing suicide may be considered a “breach of the peace” if it is not done privately. Under Scottish law, any individual who assists another in the act of suicide could be charged with murder, homicide, or nothing – depending on the case.
  • Singapore: Anyone who even attempts suicide can be sent to prison for up to a full year.
  • South Africa: Attempting or committing suicide is not considered a crime in this country. From 1886 to 1968 it was illegal, but this legislation no longer stands. Assisted-suicide is still illegal in this country, but there is some thought that it may eventually be legalized.
  • Switzerland: Assisted-suicide is considered legal in this country, but there are specific rules that must be followed. By law, if a person encourages (or requests) someone to commit suicide for “selfish reasons” or assists them in the process, whether successful or attempted, the person who provoked the suicide can be imprisoned for up to 5 years. To avoid this sentence, a person must prove that the victim was of sound mind and that they were assisting with good intentions to help relieve “suffering.” This is the only country that allows foreigners to take advantage of assisted-suicide laws.

Suicide Debate: Should suicide be illegal? What about assisted-suicide?

If you have some thoughts to share on the legality of suicide or assisted-suicide in a particular country or in general, feel free to post in the comments section below. Everyone has different opinions as to whether people should have the freedom to take their own life or whether they should be required to live it out. Some would argue that assisted-suicide for people with treatment-resistant severe mental illness should be considered legal, what do you think?

I tend to lean towards the current legislation in place regarding assisted suicide for the terminally ill. People with severe diseases that have less than 6 months to live as-is should be allowed to end their life on their own terms if suffering is unbearable. At the end of the day, evaluating how much pain and suffering a person is in is completely subjective. You never really know how a certain ailment, illness, disease, or disorder is affecting someone’s life and how much someone is struggling.

Many people think that the act of suicide is “selfish” because it really devastates the victim’s family and other survivors. However, on the other side of the coin, others would argue that it is selfish for others to force someone to stay alive with their level of suffering. What do you think about current laws? Should they be changed?

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32 thoughts on “Is Suicide Illegal? Suicide Laws By Country”

  1. In all honesty, I have read majority of all comments and responses that have been made. NOW! STOP! Think for a moment about this perception, forget about whether or not it should or should not be legal to commit suicide or assist with it… THINK for a moment on this and answer with 100%, without a doubt, if YOU would sit back and watch you husband, daughter, son, wife, mother, father, etc. being terminally ill suffer.

    Everyday, watching slowly as the disease progresses and they get worse and the pain increases OR if THAT LOVED ONE ASKED, FOR THEMSELVES, if you would assist them in ending the pain so they didn’t have to suffer anymore and could finally rest and be at peace with at least knowing that someone they loved and loved them just as much, if not more, was by their side as they took their last breathe before finally being at peace?

    Now, I am terminally ill and yes mental disorders can be treated and should be along with the children in our schools that bully other kids causing them to commit suicide. Suicide takes on many shapes and faces, but I think everyone forgets that God is the only one that is allowed to judge anyone and we do not know what others are going through or have been through in life and yet we sit back and steady judge? WHY?

    If you can sit there and tell me that you would NOT help your loved one, I would bluntly call you a dam liar!!! Knock on wood that you NEVER have to experience what a person goes through knowing that they only have so much time left on this earth. I am almost 40 years old and my time is limited and I will be damned, sin or not, if I would or will allow my sons to see me suffer, disease progress, and have that image one of the last ones in their minds for the rest of their lives.

    I want memories of laughter, fun, love, caring about each other, family vacations, to be made and left in their minds. I am saying that there should not be laws MAKING SUICIDE OR ASSISTING IN THE SUICIDE OF A LOVED ONE A CRIME!! We have constitutional rights in place for a reason and they need to be exercised by every human being in this world.

    If a person, wants to commit suicide with the aid of a loved one, then respect their decision and right to do so! You are NOT the one who is suffering; they are. To have one suffer, would be selfish for your own needs/wants, and NOT allowing them to decide for themselves as a human being.

    Therefore – you should be charged with an accessory to committing a crime due to the fact, that you watched them slowly die from a disease that is untreatable. Every day, everyone watches as I slowly get worse and the pain in my heart is unbearable. I don’t want to have my kids or loved ones see me suffer and slowly deteriorate. I want them to remember me as a fighter, loving, caring, hard working individual…

    Reply
  2. I have given this topic much, much thought. I do think it’s ironic that doctors, who are meant to save lives, will take the lives of the unborn (for enough money) and attempt to keep people alive long after that person is really living (since that is also a steady source of income). Anyone catch the common denominator there? MONEY!

    Although having the illusion of being able to control another person’s life and death may a close second denominator. Ironically, those in the medical field will seldom want life extending procedures done to themselves as they see what it really does to the body. As a religious person myself, I have had to ask myself ‘Is committing suicide morally wrong?’

    If it’s a sin, and you succeed, it will be you last sin this side of death, for certain, but if you are a Christian, you would know that your salvation is NOT based on my sinning or not sinning. There is NOTHING I can do that will stop God from loving me. So, who loses if do commit suicide? Doctors do. They get less of my money.

    Family may feel remorse or guilt for me being gone and wishing they could have done something to keep me around, but I’m not sure for whose sake, because if they were really looking out for me, they would already be involved in my life and most likely already preventing me from succeeding. Perhaps it’s the realization that they wish they had control over someone else’s life, but now that person is gone and the reality sits in stating that control is really just an illusion of it.

    And does anyone notice that once something becomes illegal, there’s a FINE. A fine for what, getting out of everybody else’s way? Oh yeah, that’s another States can get money without doing anything. So should it be illegal? No. (That’s to prevent more fee from occurring and more money moving around). But ATTEMPTED suicide should be illegal.

    And as Jim put it: “Anyone attempting it should receive the death penalty.” Of course if it WERE illegal, the best way to commit suicide would be to commit manslaughter and then have others do it for you via the death penalty. Of course most of the above is written in tongue-in-cheek since I want to address the ‘reason’ for suicide. As a Christian, I believe that my purpose in life is to love God, and love others well.

    When my time comes to stop the later, I really don’t see much purpose in living. (Of course it’s kind of hard to know when the later will happen). He also has told me (via His Son, Jesus) that he want me to live life abundantly. So although at times desiring to commit suicide is selfish, there are time it is the opposite. So desiring to commit suicide could be right or could be wrong, depending on the situation.

    I would be more concerned about those who fear death. Of course, it will happen to all of us, someday. So the term ‘Thanks! You saved my life’ should really be, ‘Thanks! You delayed my death!’ No person can really ‘save’ another. Only Christ can do that. And what He’s saving us into is eternal life with Him. Into a life with a better body and better company.

    So given those conditions, who wouldn’t want to leave this trashcan of mud? Well, it goes back to loving God, and loving others. When I love Him, I will want to love others, therefore I will want to stay. It seems that depression is a main reason for suicide. Yes, there is medication that will help, but sometimes that is not an option.

    In that case (even if you are taking meds) I would encourage to meet with a counselor and be prayed for. I am not a doctor, nor a psychologist, not a psychiatrist, but I do know that my God is into restoration and since He knows you deeply (seeing as He created you), He does have a purpose for you in this world! The adventure is finding out what that purpose is.

    God does also tend to use the lowly to perform great things, so if you are feeling ‘lowly’, He’s most likely got work for you. So no, it shouldn’t be illegal, but those who are genuinely concerned should be helping those people to help others. If you’re busy helping others, you’re too busy to be thinking about committing suicide.

    Reply
    • WOW. Thank-you so much for your lovely and wonderful lengthy comment. To me it was basically inspirational and so heart felt. Thank-you again. Take care!

      Reply
  3. I feel if it’s legal for me to euthanize my dog when he gets old and sick, I should also have the right to be euthanized to end my life when I am old and sick. Insurance shouldn’t pay for anyone committing suicide, the person committing suicide should have already made arrangements for themselves before hand as to their body and belongings. It is my body and no one feels the degree of pain and anguish I feel every day.

    I have no family and nothing to look forward to.Suicide is not the answer for everybody, if you’re young or mentally unstable, depressed or just plain angry at the world, then no, of course not. I, for one, have lived a very full life but have outlived family and most friends. It should not be up to strangers what happens to me, I am ready to “go home”. I have made my peace with the world, I am not depressed about anything, I’m just tired of waking up everyday to the same thing day in and day out.

    I still live in my home alone, manage to take care of myself to a degree. the older I get the less I can do for myself. I don’t bother anyone and no one bothers me anymore. I am a loner by choice and have always been a loner and will die a loner by choice. All the necessary things about me and my life have been taken care of and paid for so now all that is left is for me to find a satisfactory way to end this existence.

    Legal euthanaizer would have been my choice if it was available to me. I know for a fact that there are other senior citizens that feel the same as I do but their families interject their feelings into the picture and it’s pure selfishness on their behalf to make them stay. One day it will be legal and then there will be a flood of suicides of elderly men and women who have been waiting to go home and selflessly suffering because of family.

    Well, I can’t/won’t wait that long. I am actively looking and will find a solution to my problem.

    Reply
    • Dear Ms Betty, I noticed you wrote your post several weeks ago, and no one commented, though I don’t know how much traffic comes through here. But I was struck by your sincerity. You are right, of course, in what you say, but religion and the awkwardness of people keeps the discussion from happening. Let’s hope that one day things will be different. I hope you find the peace you seek. Best wishes.

      Reply
  4. I suspect they make suicide a crime so they can take away your rights. If you get 911 called on you for being in intense distress, you will be arrested; not in the formal handcuffs and prison cell way, but by taking you to a hospital against your will and making it unlawful for you to leave.

    Being unable to leave an area of your own free will is being placed under arrest. We need to help our traumatized people, not add more trauma.

    Reply
  5. I’m slightly confused by one thing that was said. “Japan: Committing suicide is considered illegal, but it is not punishable.” I don’t quite understand how it can be illegal but not punishable. Could someone perhaps expand on this for me as I really can’t seem to wrap my head around it.

    Why do they have this law if they don’t plan to act on it? My understand is that if a law like this is in place, and a person were to fail at an attempt they would face certain consequences. I’m a bit thick so if someone could clear this up for me I would be very grateful.~

    Reply
    • Common sense tells me that you’ll have a hard time prosecuting a dead man — it’s a deterrent, maybe?

      Japan has a high suicide rate compared with other developed countries. Subsequently, the government of Japan has implemented suicide prevention to combat this societal issue. The idea of suicide in Japan has been changing. You can read more about it here (keep in mind it’s from 2012): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3312902/

      Reply
  6. I’ve thought about this issue a lot since my mother had terminal cancer and although she did not seek suicide, it was soon after she died that the Dr. Kevorkian thing hit the news. If my mom had wanted to die by her own hand, I would’ve cheerfully gone to jail for helping her. I lover her and I respect her right to choose her destiny.

    I think it’s much worse than selfish for people to force others to stay alive if they are suffering. I think it’s a form of torture by coercion. The person wanted to die, but now they are left with medical bills, a stigma, continued suffering, and everywhere they turn people are saying “Are you ok? REALLLY ok??”

    I think if a person has no chance to life the life they want, and everyone slaps them with pity, they will have no confidence. It’s confidence that makes people want to be alive. If life is now without any chance of being confident again, then I think the “family” is just torturing their relative. It’s cruel, not just selfish.

    The only people who are all gung ho about suicide laws are the business people who see a fat chance to sell some mind altering psych drugs to someone who is in no position to refuse. The cha-ching sound of ultimate cruelty.

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  7. From past experience I know that with the mental problems some people have, the pain of living is worse than dying. I attempted suicide & was almost gone when someone found me & called ambulance. I was found to be bipolar and put on medication. Many times I get angry at the person who “saved” me because my life now is worse than before.

    You say I am selfish to want to leave my family but I feel the people who want me here are selfish. If the could understand the pain I go through everyday maybe they would be more sympathetic to my feelings. They want me alive so they can come see me occasionally. I don’t feel I should have to stay here to satisfy what little time they spend with me.

    I still struggle everyday to stay on this earth. I have 3 beautiful grandchildren that would be devastated if I were to kill myself. For now when I have those thoughts I think of my grandchildren & usually I realize I cannot do that to my little ones. However there may come a day when even the thought of my grandchildren will not be enough to keep me here.

    I live my life day to day, I take my medication, & I see my psych doctors regularly. I’m doing all I can to stay here until the mental anguish becomes more than I can take and I once again try to move on to the next life.

    Reply
  8. Of course it should be legal! I agree religions cause this whole problem by forcing their beliefs on people, but the crusades they participated in were fine I suppose. Not only should this be legal but assisted suicide should be open to anyone over the age of 21 and no exceptions…this is bs that people should have to live if they are suffering. Treated depression?! Treated with what? Big pharma style dangerous meds that fix nothing except the shareholders bottom line. Enough!

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  9. People can do what they want. There is no authority. Everything is based on money by these sons of b*tches who think they run the country. That’s all they hope to get out of it. And if you fail suicide, they’re, going to take it anyway. They just don’t want you to retire early before they can get all your hard earned stuff.

    Reply
  10. It is still considered a crime in the state of Florida to commit suicide. Someone I know committed suicide and CSI was called in investigate as normal. An autopsy had to be performed as Florida considers suicide to be a crime in nature even thought this person was suffering from a doctor documented terminal illness. It is in the legal statutes that suicide is a crime in that state. Ridiculous! It’s a mental health issue and should be treated and respected as one! Goes to show you how messed up our society really is!

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  11. Okay suicide should not be illegal at all or helping someone that’s different. But really NOBODY should ever be arrested or put a fine on for their mental illnesses. Like me I have wanted to do it many times, but if I couldn’t do it, I wouldn’t want to be in jail. You can put someone in therapy for their illness but not jail. It’s not their fault. I would know. I say no to committing it, but if you helped someone they shouldn’t be in jail, but maybe a fine.

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  12. I suspect they make suicide a crime so they can take away your rights.

    If you get 911 called on you for being in intense distress, you will be arrested; not in the formal handcuffs and prison cell way, but by taking you to a hospital against your will and making it unlawful for you to leave.

    Being unable to leave an area of your own free will is being placed under arrest.

    We need to help our traumatized people, not add more trauma.

    [Note: Make use of 211]

    Reply
  13. Surely the whole guilt and stigma and then laws around suicide have all arisen from religion – regardless of which one it is. It has and will always be a control mechanism in the same way religion is a self policing mechanism. Religions arose from ignorance and superstition – “crops boom at the same time a goat dies therefore kill a goat every year to guarantee a successful crop” or “sun gods” etc.

    All religions promise a reward for being “good”. I can be “good” without the promise of reward. I treat others the way I would like to be treated myself. I also believe that we are insignificant microbes on a tiny pebble hurtling through space – and that is the stumbling block most people have – to accept their meaningless – that we are born, live, die and rot. Why would anyone choose to believe that over an eternal happiness in “Heaven” or “wherever your particular religion sends you”.

    But that leads me back to my original point – if “everyone” thought that “this” is all there is then suicide would be rife – and what would be wrong with that? Is it better people live long, unhappy lives because they have been promised “Hell” or that we just phase out religions all together and reduce war and hatred and intolerance and guilt? These are just my thoughts and I would not go door to door to try to impose them on others. I accept my atheism but would never try to conscript others – unlike every religion I can think of!

    Reply
    • Thank you Peter for your post. It is amongst the most helpful literature on the subject I have ever encountered. Yes one definition of the most dire narrow-mindedness, is people hypertrophying their fantasies (however elaborate and articulate) to cosmic significance, while persecuting anyone for merely not agreeing with them.

      I cannot see how fundamentalism and bigotry are not mutually inclusive. It is only insofar as I am able to question my convictions, including giving other people a chance to communicate ideas that are not necessarily comforting; that I can perhaps lessen my stupidity an iota, such is my conceit.

      Anyway I won’t ramble further. Best Wishes to you Peter, may you always find life worthwhile. Sincerely, Ben

      Reply
  14. Is it illegal? Lol…once you commit the act, what will they do…dig your remains from the grave, putting you on trial, giving you a life sentence in the state pen? All these feelings which lead to suicide ARE a life sentence for many of us…enough punishment, not enough help.

    Reply
    • They make it illegal so if a person does commit suicide, health care and the government won’t be responsible to pay for everything. They can seize the person’s stuff and use it to pay for the funeral and healthcare.

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  15. I think that attempted suicide should be legal. Although I wouldn’t encourage suicide, I think that sending someone to prison for it is ludicrous! As they said, 90% of suicides are caused by depression. Send the mentally ill/unstable person to prison, why don’t ya? As for assisted suicide, I think it should be legal to go through with it in a somewhat professional place. Because, unsupervised could turn into an excuse for other things.

    We all shiver at the thought of a loved one committing suicide. It’s a horrible thing. But if they failed (which is quite likely), would you want them to go to jail? Making suicide illegal won’t necessarily reduce the rates, but probably increase the rates of attempts with life-long health complications and prison suicides. Suicide shouldn’t be treated as a crime.

    The people who are suicidal are misunderstood and miserable; not criminals. Committing them to a psychiatric ward would be better than prison (and that’s saying something because some of them are awful). You have to try and understand their actions.

    Reply
    • Hey I don’t want to be stuck in a jail or a mental hospital. That would be hell. I have one small reason to live for now. But when the time comes I’m out dude (or dudet). I’m bored and tired but if I get my door knocked in by fed and put in a straight jacket what would I be living for?

      Reply
  16. From my experience, it IS certainly illegal to express the wish to commit suicide in Los Angeles. An ex-boyfriend called the police, believing I was going to try. I was calm by the time the police arrived, but as I had stated I was suicidal, I was arrested, handcuffed, and taken to jail, where I sat for several hours. After being admitted to a lock-down ward of a hospital, I was ignored for 5 days.

    Originally, it had been three days, but I complained to the psychiatrist (who occasionally wandered in), he was angry, and gave me 2 more days. There were ward staff, but other than to call us for meals and medications, or tell us to get away from the door, they did not speak to us. There was nothing to do except watch TV, or read one of the few books on the ward. I was asked to cover a cigar box with material.

    It was a hideous experience. Had I had minor children, they would have been taken to DPSS…had a I had job, I would have been fired. The phones did not work consistently enough to call out. I was more suicidal when I got out.

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  17. Suicide is a choice people often take to end uncontrollable pain. If someone reaches that point, the law should not be able to prosecute someone who believes that it will help them delete that pain.

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  18. Thanks for this information. It is hard to find among the gobs of data on assisted suicide etc. Even if someone kills themselves BC of depression, it would be awful for their family to face legal proceedings too. I think we shouldn’t judge people especially if they’ve been suffering for a long time. Comfort the bereaved and grieve the loss but don’t presume to know what would have “fixed” them. It’s upsetting lately to hear the cold-blooded greed of some people, who are faced with say a traffic jam – because of a potential jumper, can only state that the family should have to pay for all the emergency workers as well as be fined. Yet that is what our society is coming to.

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    • That is disgusting! I feel sorry for the suicidal people. I don’t think that they’re just an “inconvenience”. Hopefully society isn’t all like this.

      Reply

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