Pathways’ Advocacy Committee Lecture Series: Considerations and Risks of MAiD for Mental Illness

Legislative change expected in March 2024 that will allow people to qualify for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) when mental illness is the sole underlying condition is a concern to many members of Pathways. We want our loved ones to receive the care they need, including housing, food, income, and comprehensive health supports.

In this session, we invite you to learn more about MAiD from Dr. John Maher. Dr. Maher will explain the proposed changes to MAiD, and risks he sees, around extending this to individuals with mental illness.
Dr. John Maher is a renowned psychiatrist, medical ethicist, and advocate with decades’ experience advocating for cancer services, pediatric AIDS patients, and individuals with serious and persistent medical illness. Fueled by the death of his best friend to a brain tumour at the young age of eight, Maher gained an early appreciation for the humanity of every person. This experience fueled his educational pursuits in philosophy, medical ethics, and eventually psychiatry. Maher is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Ethics in Mental Health and the president of the Ontario Association for ACT & FACT teams.

On February 3, 2022, Dr. Maher spoke to a Senate committee to oppose extending medically assisted death to those with mental illness. Dr. Maher strongly believes that “we must not have legislation that will lead people to death who otherwise would have healed or coped. Offering an easier path to suicide is an ethically indefensible inducement.”

In this session, participants will gain a better understanding of the upcoming changes to Canada’s MAiD law, and considerations and risks to those suffering from mental illness.

Who Should Attend: Families, significant others and friends of a loved one with a serious mental illness who resides in British Columbia.

Register asap as seats are limited, first come, first serve.

Where and When?

Tuesday, November 21st | 6:00-7:30 PM

Online via Zoom

Registration is now open. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.