A man who wants to end his life at a euthanasia clinic has asked the Scottish Parliament to include mental health in proposed laws on assisted dying. Kevin Sutherland, 31, was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) nine years ago and said it has made life “unbearable”.
The Sunday Mail told last week how Kevin, from Edinburgh, travelled to Brussels in May to meet a doctor to informally discuss assisted dying and will return in September to continue the process. Assisted dying is illegal in the UK but a Bill, led by Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur, to give people the right to end their own life is going through Holyrood.
He proposed that competent adults who are terminally ill be provided, at their request, with assistance to end their life.Kevin has lodged a petition calling on the Scottish Parliament to include mental health in legislation.
He said: “Mental suffering is just as torturous as any physical condition. I believe people in Scotland, or those willing to travel to Scotland, should be granted the option based on their mental health.
“People seeking a humane end to their lives should not be forced to suffer in silence.”
McArthur said: “I believe a change in the law should be limited to those with a terminal illness and mental capacity. This is the way to build public confidence and parliamentary support.”
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