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| Representative Brad Tschida |
Until recently, the Montana Strategic Suicide Prevention Plan was considering assisted suicide of the terminally ill as a separate issue from suicide prevention. The active disability community in Montana, however, has been vocal on the need for suicide prevention services for individuals with disabilities. . . . . Individuals with disabilities have a right to responsive suicide prevention services.
There is a specific recommendation to "address . . . the mistaken assumption that suicide is a rational response to disability."
See the full text below.
WHEREAS, the rights of individuals with chronic health conditions and disabilities should be taken into consideration in Montana's Strategic Suicide Prevention Plan of 2017.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That the Department of Public Health and Human Services be urged to include the following language in Montana's Strategic Suicide Prevention Plan of 2017:
"Living with chronic or terminal physical conditions can place significant stress on individuals and families. As with all challenges, individual responses will vary. Cancer, degenerative diseases of the nervous system, traumatic injuries of the central nervous system, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, chronic kidney disease, arthritis, and asthma are known to elevate the risk of mental illness, particularly depression and anxiety disorders. In these situations, integrated medical and behavioral approaches are critical for regularly assessing suicidality.
Disability-specific risk factors include encountering a new disability or a change in an existing disability, difficulties navigating social and financial services, stress of chronic stigma and discrimination, loss or threat of loss of independent living, and institutionalization or hospitalization.
Until recently, the Montana Strategic Suicide Prevention Plan was considering assisted suicide of the terminally ill as a separate issue from suicide prevention. The active disability community in Montana, however, has been vocal on the need for suicide prevention services for individuals with disabilities. There may be unintended consequences of assisted suicide legislation on individuals with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities have a right to responsive suicide prevention services. The Montana Strategic Suicide Prevention Plan intends to continue to explore the needs of the disability community for these services."
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Montana Strategic Suicide Prevention Plan of 2017 address recommendations for:
(1) developing greater scrutiny of someone's intention to die;
(2) identifying and training practitioners to develop expertise in working with disabled individuals who are suicidal;
(3) addressing the mistaken assumption that suicide is a rational response to disability;
(4) treating mental health conditions of disabled individuals as aggressively as mental health conditions of individuals without disabilities; and
(5) encouraging and increasing participation from the disability community and encouraging educational presentations.
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