We further feel that there can evidently also be a great deal of suffering in connection with a mental health disorder. It's very important to acknowledge this.
However, there are conditions on access to medical assistance in dying. The decision should never be made because of a lack of access to services. Nor should it be seen as a way of putting an end to suffering when the more promising, effective and recognized alternatives were not on offer.
We have had the opportunity to reflect on this issue and have developed five criteria for assessing a request for medical assistance in dying linked to mental health. I know that time is short, but I think it's important to summarize them for you.
To begin with, it's a decision that is made at the end…