How often do you engage with or witness death in your work?

As a psychologist working in an outpatient setting, I often encounter death in my work. People talk to me about the deaths of their loved ones, or how they are coming to terms with their own mortality. Death is something that no one can escape, and yet people find difficulty in accepting it as part of life. My experience has made me more aware of how difficult but important it is to accept loss and move on while still honoring what was lost.

I do not agree with the analysis from the topic readings that suicide or euthanasia constitute a sin against nature. It is certainly understandable why this argument exists – especially as theologians have long held Nature up as something sacred that should be respected and preserved – but we must also take into account our current understanding of mental health and illness, both physical and psychological. It cannot be forgotten that many cases of suicide stem from severe pain, suffering, or distress experienced by individuals who see no other way out than taking away their own lives; thus it would seem wrong for us to pass judgement when we ourselves may not understand the full extent of their struggles or circumstances which lead them to assisted death if it is available legally.