The Canadian Mental Health Association says mental illness should not be a death sentence.

Eastern Regional Manager with the Canadian Mental Health Association, John Dinn, was responding to parliament’s decision to lift an exemption on mental illness as the sole eligibility criteria for Medical Assistance in Dying or MAID.

Come March 23, 2023, illnesses like depression and personality disorders will be eligible for access to MAID.

Dinn says the Canadian Mental Health Association’s position is that a person with mental illness should be assisted to live and thrive.

“Our focus is on advocating to ensure that all people with mental health and mental illness… have the care they need to live well,” says Dinn.

Dinn says in the case of mental illness, sometimes the recovery process can be episodic, and last a lifetime, and the support and treatment must be there throughout. He says the CMHA will be seeking discussions with federal officials to express their concerns before the legislative change comes into effect.

Mental Health Advocate Disappointed in Criteria for Medical Assistance in Dying