Suicidal Rights

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There have been articles and letters in The West recently, about the suicide of Erin Berg. Despite care and attention, Ms Berg committed suicide in Mexico. The current situation is, that Ms Berg's sisters want access to full details of the pre-death care given to Ms Berg by the WA Health Department.

There are plenty more issues which are being avoided.

There is very little information on the actions of the sisters, prior to Ms Berg's suicide. What were they doing, to help their suicidal sister?

My own view is that they should have -- could have -- done very little. Support, care, love, listening... time. That is what one person can give to another. Beyond that, you should not force your opinions on someone else.

Nor should the Health Department force someone to act against their own will. Yes, you prevent harm to others. But suicide is a choice, an option -- an individual's right.

Which leads to the main, missed point: If Erin Berg wanted to commit suicide -- why should she be prevented? Were there good reasons? We are not told. Was her life too painful to continue? We are told that she was depressed; was there no "cure" other than suicide? If so -- then suicide should be an acceptable option.

We have been informed, that Ms Berg had to hide her intention to go to Mexico.

So this poor woman -- depressed, suicidal -- has no option but to trick everyone, to sneak off, to end a miserable life in lonely misery.

What happened to sympathy? to caring? to sharing the burden so that the end, at least, is less miserable?

Yes, it's a hard decision to make. But which is worse: Being watched, perhaps locked in or drugged, so that you are forced to continue what to you has become an unbearable life? Or, to have the support and kindness of friends and family, as you make a valid choice to escape -- the only way that you know how.

Perhaps that honest, caring and sharing support would make the end easier. Provide closure, at least, for friends and family.

Perhaps such care would even have shown Ms Berg that life was, in fact, almost worth living.

Who knows. But the lock up and prevention approach, certainly failed.

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