Who can die? Canada wrestles with euthanasia for the mentally ill

[hlthe2b]

1. It really underscores the lack of efficacy for many of our mental health interventions

whether it be therapy, drug therapy, or basic diagnosis. I say "our" because the US system has the same limitations. There is so much to be learned about neurochemical and genetically induced susceptibility to mental illness-- as well as the social and environmental "inciters" that it feels like we've scarcely moved in our understanding of the most pronounced disorders. And with the denigration of education and science--as well as the politicization of medicine, it is hard to be optimistic

Euthanasia for the mentally ill is a really frightening proposition, though. It is hard to think it is an intervention for the patient, rather than a weary society.