How medical aid-in-dying laws work

Death with Dignity laws in the United States have no provisions for people seeking to end their lives due to long-term suffering with depression or other mental illnesses. All death with dignity laws in the United States require that the patient must be:

• An adult.
• Terminally ill with a six-month prognosis, confirmed by two physicians.
• Capable of making decisions without impairment.
• Physically able to self-ingest (take into the digestive system) the medication.

Further, euthanasia is not legal anywhere in the United States for humans. See state-provided FAQs for more information.

What does this mean for people suffering with mental illness?

The only organization who might be legally able to work with people from the United States who are suffering with long-term debilitating mental illness is Dignitas, a membership organization located in Switzerland.

Please contact Dignitas directly to learn whether they may be able to help.

Maine Death with Dignity cannot help with these decisions and has no expertise with regard to mental health assessments and/or treatments.

It is our policy to not respond to inquiries seeking information about access to the Maine Death with Dignity Act for mental illness.