In March 2027, medical assistance in dying (MAID, also referred to as
physician-assisted suicide) in Canada will be available to those with mental illness (MI) as the sole underlying condition (MAID-MI). Given that 2S/LGBTQ+ communities experience high rates of mental illness and suicide as well as unique barriers to accessing mental healthcare and supports, it is important to consult these communities and to highlight their needs, perspectives, and concerns about MAID-MI. In this project, we engaged with 2S/LGBTQ+ adults with mental illness in Atlantic Canada through one-on-one interviews to better understand their perspectives surrounding MAID-MI.
This report provides insight into 2S/LGBTQ+ perspectives on MAID-MI and sheds light on important and nuanced factors to consider on the topic of MAID-MI in 2S/LGBTQ+ communities.
We hope that readers can use this report to deepen their own knowledge on this topic, to start safe and informed conversations in their communities, and to guide advocacy for policy that meet the needs of our communities.
Key Findings
Overall, we found that participants:
- Experienced many barriers to accessing healthcare in Atlantic Canada, which exacerbated their concerns about MAID-MI being integrated into the healthcare system.
- Felt abandoned by the system.
- Understood MAID-MI as related to suicide in a complex way.
- Worried about how legalization of MAID-MI would impact marginalized communities already facing systemic oppression.
- Emphasized the need for improved healthcare and social supports such as housing and income.
Acknowledgements
This study was a partnership between the University of Victoria (Jay Tang, Dr. Nathan Lachowsky, Dr. Simon Carroll), Egale Canada (Dr. Brittany Jakubiec), and Mount Saint Vincent University (Dr. Áine Humble), and was funded by a SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant. Thank you to our community advisors whose guidance and insight shaped this project.
