Two of the symptoms of major depression, bi-polar disorder, andborderline personality disorder are suicidal thoughts and behavior.For this discussion, we will consider whether an individual has the\"right to commit suicide.\" The right-to-suicide movement has anumber of advocates, mostly outside of the mental healthprofession. Some say that suicide should only be allowed forterminally ill patients with the asstance of a physician. (There ispresently a legal battle in Oregon about physician-assistedsuicide.) Others place no restrictions, saying that \"It's yourlife. As long as you don't hurt someone else, you have the right todecide when to end it.\" On the other hand, most mainstreamreligions oppose suicide as do most medical doctors, psychologists,and psychiatrists. In Texas, if you are suicidal, you can becommitted to a psychiatric hospital. Anyone aiding a person'ssuicide can be charged with a felony.
