doiSerbia

Bioethical aspects of assisted suicide and euthanasia in people suffering from mental health problems

Pavlović Bojana (Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia)
Tiosavljević Danijela (Clinical Centre of Serbia, Clinic for Psychiatry, Belgrade, Serbia + University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Humanities, Belgrade, Serbia)
Sinadinović Danka (University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Humanities, Belgrade, Serbia)

This paper deals with euthanasia and assisted suicide in people with mental health problems, based on the fundamental principles of contemporary medical ethics. In some situations, psychiatric patients are incapable of realizing they are ill and they need to be treated due to the compromise of cognitive functions. It is difficult to establish the relationship of negotiation and joint decision-making with such patients, so it is necessary that the psychiatrist takes responsibility in order to protect both their patient and the environment from any potentially harmful activity.

Keywords: euthanasia, medical ethics, mental health