Citation

Werth Jr. JL, Gordon JR. J. Couns. Dev. 2002; 80(2): 160-172.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, John Wiley & Sons)

DOI

10.1002/j.1556-6678.2002.tb00179.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

After providing background material related to the Supreme Court cases on "physician-assisted suicide" (Washington v. Glucksberg, 1997, and Vacco v. Quill, 1997), this article presents the amicus curiae brief that was submitted to the United States Supreme Court by 2 national mental health organizations, a state psychological association, and an ad hoc coalition of mental health professionals. The document focuses on the role mental health professionals can play in discussions about hastened death. In particular, it is asserted that mental health professionals can assess capacity, the decision-making process, and the role of coercion in such decisions. The effect of the brief on the Supreme Court and within the organizations involved is also discussed.

Language: en