A Canadian woman who went to a Vancouver hospital seeking psychiatric help after she was experiencing frequent suicidal thoughts, says a staff member suggested medical assistance in dying (MAID) rather than offering her the help she needed.
Kathrin Mentler told The Christian Institute, a UK watchdog, she went to the Vancouver General Hospital’s Access and Assessment Centre in June, “because I didn’t want to get into a situation where I would think about taking an overdose of medication.”
“That day my goal was to keep myself safe. I was thinking of maybe trying to get myself admitted to hospital because I was in crisis,” Mentler said.
During her examination by a clinician, the 37-year-old was told there were “no beds” and that she should expect a long wait to see a psychiatrist as an out-patient.
Feeling disheartened and helpless, Mentler said she was asked, “Have you considered MAID?” The Christian Institute reports, “The clinician then went on to speak of her ‘relief’ at the death of another patient struggling with mental illness.” “That made me feel like my life was worthless or a problem that could be solved if I chose MAID,” she explained.
Mentler, a first-year counseling student, later told The Globe and Mail in an interview, “The more I think about it, I think it brings up more and more ethical and moral questions around it.”
Vancouver Coastal Health, the medical company which operates the hospital, not only confirmed that the discussion took place but said the topic of MAID was brought up to gauge Mentler’s risk of suicidality, the outlet reported.
“During patient assessments of this nature, difficult questions are often asked by clinicians to determine the appropriate care and risk to the patient,” said the health authority in a statement.
“Staff are to explore all available care options for the patient and a clinical evaluation with a client who presents with suicidality may include questions about whether they have considered MAID as part of their contemplations.
We understand this conversation could be upsetting for some, and share our deepest apologies for any distress caused by this incident,” the statement continued. The statement said the health authority abides by current federal legislation that states MAID is only provided to legally eligible patients.
