By Penzil Trigger warning, sensitive topic
Euthanasia is the choice of a person who is terminally ill to terminate their life and alleviate the suffering, it is legal in some countries and illegal in others. In New Zealand, Euthanasia is against the law, where it is illegal to assist anyone to end their life. However, debate and controversy has escalated with David Seymour’s, End of Life Choice Bill to Parliament, which was lodged on 08 June 2017. The Bill is based on the Canadian model of Euthanasia laws, which includes allowing of euthanasia for persons that live with physical or psychological suffering.
The most vulnerable in our society are the ones whose voices we need to hear and for many here in New Zealand, suffered quietly and ended their own lives at the hand of suicide. Of the world’s most developed countries, New Zealand has the highest death rate for teenagers and young people, suicide rates continue to increase , with approximately 500 death by suicide a year. Our elderly and disabled within our communities continue to be marginalised and where the State need to acknowledge that resources for the health sector should be reflected in the needs of our most vulnerable groups as well as the professionals that support them. It is disturbing to see the recently published statistics of euthanasia in Belgium, which reported 14,753 individuals between 2002 (when Belgium decriminalized euthanasia) and 2016, from Belgium’s Federal Commission on the Control and Evaluation of Euthanasia. Belgium’s liberal laws around euthanasia raises global concerns where they have allowed legislation that supports euthanasia of minors, the only country in the world to do so. There have been recent calls by Belgian mental health professionals to ban euthanasia of the mentally ill, such as those with depression or behavioural disorders that are medically termed “non-terminally ill”, conditions which are common with New Zealand’s elderly population, where they may be vulnerable to coercion.
The moral and ethical dilemmas that are associated with Euthanasia are compounded with information from various sources that affect the public, health practitioners, professionals and politicians. The circumstances and capacity of each individual person is one of many elements to Seymour’s proposed bill, prompted by the highly publicised case of Lecretia Seales and her battle with brain tumour and consequential events that saw her challenge New Zealand law in court, for her right to assisted dying.
For many health practitioners and professionals, involvement in the process of assisted dying will undoubtedly have moral implications if legalised, e.g. doctors who hold a belief that their duty is to prolong life, for nurses who have religious beliefs and for social workers who may struggle with their personal views over advocating and supporting individuals who choose assisted dying compromising their code of conduct and support for the service user, their family members before and after the event. Other consequences to be considered are where family are in disagreement over the service user’s wishes, or in some instances, where the service user may not wish for family members to be aware of their choice for assisted dying, yet as social workers, we are bound by confidentiality. There are cultural aspects, where Maori tikanga from spiritual and sacred protocols as taonga (gifts) are not to be breached.
As social workers we are presented with many challenges, our own ethical values and our attitudes that define our practice, combined with policies and legislation that guide our practice, it is our duty in all circumstances that we promote quality of life and guard the most vulnerable in our communities. These are qualities of New Zealand that encapsulates the essence of compassion within Te Tiriti o Waitangi, to protect.
Where to get help:
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youth services: (06) 3555 906
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
• Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• The Word
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111
Ministry of Health. (2019, January 16). Understanding suicide in New Zealand. Retrieved from https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/mental-health-and-addictions/working-prevent-suicide/understanding-suicide-new-zealand
2019 Social work blog 413 /713 