Claire Brosseau, the Canadian actress, is seeking the right to medically assisted suicide after decades of living with severe mental health conditions.
In a recent open letter via her Substack to the United
Nations, the 48-year-old said she has battled manic depression, anxiety
disorder, substance abuse disorder and chronic suicidal ideation since
childhood.
The Toronto-based film star described the experience as
unrelenting and debilitating, adding that she has tried more than two dozen
medications alongside behavioural, talk and art therapies, as well as
electroconvulsive therapy, but none have provided lasting relief from her
“suffering”.
“I am a 48-year-old woman who was diagnosed with Bipolar
Disorder at 14. I have ADHD, disordered eating, substance use disorder, and
PTSD. I’ve been in and out of psychiatric wards and institutions,” she wrote.
“I’ve been treated by psychiatrists, psychologists,
counsellors, 12-step programs, and rehab in New York City, Los Angeles,
Toronto, and Montreal.
“For nearly 35 years, my care has included electroconvulsive
therapy, cognitive and dialectical behavioural therapy, family-focused therapy,
psychedelic-assisted therapy, group therapy, art and music therapy, tai chi,
reiki, meditation, veganism, sound baths, sensory deprivation tank therapy,
antidepressants, antipsychotics, anti-anxiety medication, mood stabilisers,
sedatives and stimulants.
“I went to Church until I couldn’t. My body is ruined from
suicide attempts. I am currently in palliative psychiatric care at Sunnybrook
Hospital in Toronto. I am debilitated. For the past four and a half years, I’ve
had no social contact beyond my parents, one sister, and the professionals
involved in my case (lawyers, doctors, reporters, documentarians).
“There are no texts, no phone calls, no plans, no friends. I
do not go to stores. I do not eat meals. I do not work. I do not drive. I exist
in 600 square feet of complete isolation and constant torment.”
Brosseau, who does not have a partner or children, said she
first decided to apply for euthanasia in 2021 under Canada’s Medical Aid in
Dying (MAID) programme.
The law allows patients with a “grievous and irremediable
medical condition” to end their lives with a doctor’s assistance.
However, people whose sole underlying condition is mental
illness are currently excluded from the MAID programme following repeated
delays by the Canadian government to develop specific safeguards and
guidelines.
The actress is now part of a lawsuit alongside advocacy
group Dying With Dignity Canada, arguing that barring people with mental
illnesses from accessing MAID is discriminatory.
She has also pleaded with the United Nations, asking that
they reconsider their decision on the issue.
“I am one of the plaintiffs (with the national human-rights
charity Dying With Dignity Canada and John Scully, an 85-year-old former war
photographer with PTSD) currently in active litigation against the Government
of Canada, seeking access to MAID MI-SUMC,” she said.
“I write not merely to provide perspective, but to
respectfully urge the Committee to reconsider recommendations that, with
profound respect, directly contradict the Convention’s own definition of
discrimination.”
Brosseau may not be eligible for the programme until 2027,
depending on legislative changes. The legal challenge is still pending.
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