Thank you, Madam Chair.
A number of people who talk about mental disorders as the sole underlying medical conditions claim that people who are suicidal and in crisis or are depressed could have access to medical assistance in dying, whereas nothing in the expert report says that. In fact, it says the opposite.
My question is for both witnesses. I would ask them to give a brief answer.
Do you think that expanding medical assistance in dying to people with mental disorders could have a preventive effect in suicidal individuals?
For example, if a suicidal person, the day after the amended act is passed, raises their hand and says that they want to have access to medical assistance in dying, at least we will know that they need help and can be taken care of when, at the moment, they are completely abandoned and could make attempt suicide.
Isn't this a preventive measure?