Stigma of mental illness clouds MAID expansion, patient and psychiatrist say

Canadians suffering from debilitating mental illness cannot yet legally qualify for medical assistance in dying, unlike almost all others with severe illnesses — a restriction some advocates feel is rooted in stigma.

Stigma of mental illness clouds MAID expansion, patient and psychiatrist say
A young woman with long hair, wearing jeans and sneakers, sits on a bench with her face in her hands, as if in despair.

Canadians suffering from debilitating mental illness cannot yet legally qualify for medical assistance in dying, unlike almost all others with severe illnesses — a restriction some advocates feel is rooted in stigma.