Counselor responsibilities in end-of-life decision-making cases

¶ … Right to die in America [...] impact of a client's decision to end their life, and the counselor's role in the process.

END OF LIFE DECISIONS

The right for a person to take their own life is a highly volatile issue debated passionately in the courts. A counselor involved in with a client that wishes to take their own life must examine their own beliefs, along with the needs and emotions of their client. Is the client emotionally able to make a rational decision to end his or her own life? Is the client terminally ill, or do they have some valid reason for wanting to end their lives? A counselor should always consult with a mental health professional, especially if there are any extraordinary circumstances connected with the case, such as a history of mental illness or confusion, or a history of depression with the client. Their wish to end their lives could well be a cry for help and attention, rather than a viable alternative to a painful and prolonged life with no rewards or purpose.

Of course, the client's significant family members should also play a part in the decision, and the counselor should discuss the decision with them, along with any religious professionals the client respects. While the right to die is a very personal decision, because of laws in the United States, it can be illegal to assist in a euthanasia case, as the case of Dr. Jack Kevorkian, who has faced prison time for assisting terminally ill patients with their suicides. The issue is an extremely volatile one, and the counselor must be aware of his or her own feelings and beliefs when they interact with their patients.