Legislative Update from the NH Coalition for Suicide Prevention

December 11, 2023

We are deeply concerned about legislation filed this year to legalize assisted suicide in NH. The potential impact on populations already vulnerable to suicide – for example, people with disabilities, people with brain injuries, and Veterans suffering from TBI and other chronic conditions – is alarming.

Consider that if this legislation passes:

1. By declaring that suicide is acceptable for certain people in certain situations, an assisted suicide law endorses suicide as an option and works directly against NH’s goal of suicide prevention. A PAS law simply trades one form of lethal means (guns) for another (PAS). Thus, a PAS law poses a unique threat to vulnerable populations.


2. As evidenced by activity in the handful of other states where PAS is legal, PAS laws are establishing a dangerous precedent. Canada’s laws, for instance, have now expanded to authorize PAS for “those with serious and chronic physical conditions, even if the condition is not life-threatening”. Once the door to suicide is opened even an inch, there is nothing to prevent it from opening as far as it will go.


Canadian Senate passes bill broadening access to medically assisted death |

Reuters

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/06/canada-legalized-medical-assisted-suicide-euthanasia-death-maid/673790/

Statement on upcoming changes to Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) law - CMHA National

https://www.chpca.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CHPCAs-Position-Statement-on-MAiD-%E2%80%93-2023-Update.pdf


3. A PAS law endorses ableism and sends the unacceptable message that people with disabilities and other challenges are “better off dead”. In Oregon, the top 5 reasons why people choose PAS include things like loss of independence and fear of being a burden on others. PAS introduces the option of suicide into the minds of the elderly and people with disabilities, who already struggle with challenges every day. As a state, we should be providing care for people who are in need, not killing them.


4. Financial exploitation of the vulnerable is already a major problem in NH, but PAS legislation would arm exploiters with the ultimate weapon – the ability to influence a person to use the PAS law to commit suicide.

There will be opportunities to attend hearings early in 2024; the time to write or call your legislators and voice your opinion on this sensitive issue is now… Please contact Bob Dunn at rdunn@rcbm.org to join the growing coalition of people opposed to legalizing assisted suicide in NH.


Check Out Our Recent Suicide Prevention-Related Blogs

The NH Coalition for Suicide Prevention website offers a number of educational blogs with resources,

legislative updates and stories of hope for populations vulnerable to suicide. Read some of our recent

features below:

Jules Good shares her experience with anorexia and why it should not qualify as an End-of-Life Option


How Ohio State’s STRIVE Program Helps To Reduce Veteran Suicides


Suicide Risk In An Overlooked Group: People With Disabilities


Liz Kenney’s story of how she is thriving after a car accident caused a life-altering brain injury:

Elizabeth Kenney: Life After Brain Injury — NH Coalition for Suicide Prevention (zerosuicidesnh.org)


Some background on Donna’s Law, a Voluntary Firearms Purchase Delay Act that exists in 3 States:

Donna’s Law: Preventing Suicide through the Voluntary Firearms Purchase Delay Act — NH Coalition for Suicide Prevention (zerosuicidesnh.org)


20th  Annual Suicide Prevention Conference Draws Over 200 to the Grappone Center in Concord On Nov. 2

“Empowering Everyday Helpers” was the theme of the 20th annual Suicide Prevention Conference, sponsored by the State Suicide Prevention Council on Nov. 2nd in Concord, NH.

Amy Cook, Chair of the State Suicide Prevention Council, opened the conference, followed by a presentation of the 2023 Kathleen Sherman Award to recognize Debbie Baird for her work with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) and the Survivors of Suicide Loss support groups.   Longtime advocate Elaine Frank, who passed away this year, was also recognized for her suicide prevention efforts both nationally and in NH.  Her many accomplishments include her work on seatbelt legislation and other injury prevention efforts in NH; serving as a founding member of the NH Firearm Safety Coalition; starting CALM (Counseling on Access to Lethal means) and working on the first Suicide Prevention Conference two decades ago.

Dennis Gillan, a motivational speaker who lost 2 brothers to suicide, spoke about the turning point in his life where he stopped using alcohol to mask his pain and began his journey as a public speaker and advocate for suicide prevention and as founder of the Half a Sorrow Foundation. Half a Sorrow Foundation - Preventing Suicide Through Connection and Compassion

Conference participants were able to choose from a number of informative sessions including one sponsored by the NH Coalition for Suicide Prevention entitled, “Addressing Suicide Risk for People With Disabilities,” featuring speakers Dr. Lauren Khazem, Assistant Research Professor of Psychology at the Ohio State University and Sarah Tollefsen. 


For more information about the NH Coalition for Suicide Prevention, visit www.zerosuicidesnh.org.