Attitudes of trainees in suicide intervention toward euthanasia and suicide among the nonterminally ill

The responses of 55 trainees in suicide intervention to select Suicide Opinion Questionnaire items were evaluated to assess their attitudes toward euthanasia and the acceptability of suicidal behavior in general. Overall, 60% of participants agreed that people with incurable diseases should be allowed to commit suicide, and 51% agreed that suicide is an acceptable means to end an incurable disease. In contrast, 16% of participants agreed that suicide is acceptable for the aged and infirm, and 16% agreed that people in general do not have the right to take their own lives. Results also indicated that trainees in suicide intervention do not believe suicide should be socially sanctioned and that suicide is a societal concern.