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I just wanted to add another perspective to this conversation. At what point do we stop trying to prevent suicide? After all the avenues to help have been taken and our loved ones still want to die, I think it is fair to  honor our loved ones' wishes and let them end their life without feeling guilt, alone and scared. Giving them permission can offer them a peace of mind in such a tragic moment.

My mother talked about suicide all her life. I think it would have been selfish of me to continue telling her she had to live no matter how miserable she was. It is her right to live or die.

I finally told her that it was okay and that I didn't want her to die alone. After several conversations of discussing her options out loud with me and looking at it as a reality she realized she wasn't ready to die.

I don't suggest this for everyone for all cases. There are legal matters to think about too. If my mom would have decided to end her life, I think I would have felt better about giving her a sense of peace before she passed.

posted 4 years, 3 months ago
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