Presents case summary of 58-year-old woman, terminally ill with cancer, who is contemplating suicide. Includes comments from Kjell Rudestam from the Fielding Institute and from Margaret Battin from the University of Utah who debate appropriate responses to people who contemplate suicide because of terminal illness. (NB)

This paper questions how society should care for people who are suffering and near death? Underlying this issue are very difficult questions about the evolving rights of patients, medical standards, and societal norms--questions about the American way of death, which often involves needless pain and unwanted treatment. Three choices are presented…

Reviews epidemiology of suicide among terminally ill. Discusses clinical assessment and management of suicidal terminally ill, emphasizing differences from evaluation and treatment of other suicidal individuals. Focuses on methodological issues inherent in studying treatment and characteristics of this population. Suggests blurring of line between…

Contends that old age, in and of itself, should never need to be a cause for self-destruction. Further argues that suicide and assisted suicide carried out in the face of terminal illness causing unbearable suffering should be ethically and legally acceptable. Outlines a perspective on rational suicide among the elderly. (Author/NB)

Notes that suicide is common in old age, but public opinion remains negative. Following a review of theories of suicide and summary of arguments against suicide, constructs argument for why elderly have unique claim to an ethical, unobstructed suicide. Claim rests on their "developmental autonomy," based on experience and wisdom of the elderly.…

A study illustrates how legal sanction promotes a culture that transforms suicide into assisted suicide and encourages choosing death when faced with serious illness. The question of extending legal euthanasia to those not physically ill complicates the issue. Also, doctors may feel they can end a terminally-ill patient's life without consent.…

Debates the question of suicide as a defensible choice, particularly for the terminally ill, examining the relevance of such issues as the mortality, rationality, and dynamics of the suicidal act, and the legitimacy of physician-assisted suicide. Contrasting perspectives are articulated by two prominent suicidologists as a spur to the reader's…

Presents interview with Ralph Mero, Executive Director of Compassion in Dying, Seattle (Washington)-based organization that has brought new voice to controversial issue of physician-assisted rational suicide. Mero explains how his years as minister watching people suffer with cancer or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome led him to work for…

Author explains why he disagrees with concept of rational suicide, asserting that what some see as basis for rational suicide, he sees as basis for therapy. Discusses particular circumstances of the very old, disabled, and terminally ill. Contends that effective psychotherapy is possible with terminally ill. Concludes that, although he opposes…

Explores many dimensions of suicide among the terminally ill, including preemptive, surcease, and rational suicide. The critical issues addressed are the incidence of suicide in HIV-positive individuals, contributing factors associated with the risk of suicide among people with HIV/AIDS, and the clinical and ethical implications of this issue for…

The pragmatic question of assessing a client's situation with regard to rational suicide is raised. A review of the nine criteria for a diagnosis of clinical depression is suggested as a good way to explore the possibility of clinical depression in a terminally ill person who is considering suicide. (Author/EMK)

Responds to Werth's (1992) arguing for rational suicide for individuals diagnosed with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Commends Werth's willingness to address issue of rational suicide for individuals diagnosed with AIDS, but expresses concerns about data supporting his rationale and implications for counseling psychology and society…

Whether or not suicide may be considered a rational choice for clients with terminal illness is controversial. Rational suicide and the literature and statistics pertaining to suicide and terminal illness are reviewed. Implications of accepting rational suicide as a treatment option, including moral and ethical issues, are addressed. (Author/EMK)

The rational suicide paradigm is contrasted with the traditional view of the mental health professions. Historical background on suicide in western civilization is supplied and the concept of rationality elucidated. Parallels between the questions of refusing life-prolonging therapy and rational suicide are discussed, as are reasons for suicide.…

The relationship between medical illness and suicide seems to be multi-faceted. While medical illness is not the sole determinant of suicide, certain illnesses, such as HIV/AIDS and brain cancers, do appear to elevate the risk of suicide. Possible effective prevention efforts include education of primary care providers, and improved medication…