Research findings from Holland
A recent research report published in Holland that focussed on euthanasia and people managing mental health conditions reveals some worrying findings.
Summary
Of patients requesting an assisted death:
- Most were aged 21-60, some as young as 12 (p27)
- Most were women (60% vs 40%), especially in the 41-50yr age group, a higher proportion than the population. (p28)
- 40% had a low educational level, compared with 29% of the population.(p28)
- There were more single people (70% compared with 48% in the general population) (p30)
- Depression was the commonest diagnosis (26.6%)(p35)
- In men under 30yrs, ‘Neurological developmental disorder eg. autism spectrum disorder, was the commonest diagnosis (p36)
- Of the women under 30yrs three women changed their minds immediately before being given the IV drug.(p37)
- In women under 30yrs, ‘depressive mood disorder’ was the commonest diagnosis, with a ‘neurological behavioural disorder’ as a diagnosis in five..(p38)
- ‘Personality disorders’ were the commonest psychiatric ‘co-morbidity’.(p47)
- 20-50% of individuals had chemical dependency issues.(p47)
- 48 men (48/788 – 6%) and 235 women (235/788)- 29.8%) women reported previous sexual abuse.(p49)
Follow this link to go to the full report. https://bit.ly/340CLkc