Should Someone With Mental Illness Have The Right To Die?

In modern times there has been much debate concerning whether or not one should have the right to a physician-assisted suicide. Whether one is on the pro side or the con, the debate does tend to get pretty heated. However, lately the debate has added a new factor into it and that is whether or not someone with severe mental illness should have the same right. Those who say "yes" usually argue that if after exhausting all medical and psychological methods one is still not getting any better then the patient should be allowed to ask their doctor to medically help them commit suicide in order to end their suffering. Those who say "no" make the argument that life is in the hands of God and only He can decide who lives and who dies and that we should pretend to be God. But, what does the Bible say concerning this topic? In this blog, I shall be discussing exactly how we as Christians should view this important topic. 

The first thing I would like to talk about is the value of human life. The reason for this is because at the core of this debate is over whether or not human life has any value. As Christians, we would obviously say that human life is immensely valuable, but the secularist would say that human life is no more valuable than a pig or a rat. According to God's word, which side is correct? If we turn to Genesis 1:27 we read the following, 

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" 

Theologians have traditionally called this the Imago Dei (Image of God). Human beings are mirror images of the Creator since the time of creation even after the Fall. Think about this for a moment. As finite, sinful, imperfect human beings, we mirror the perfect, infinite, incorruptible, majestic, glorious, good God of creation. This is why the Psalmist can say in Psalm 139:14, 

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well" 

These truths apply to all human beings everywhere regardless of whether or not they are born-again Christians. However, for those of us who have submitted to the Lordship of Christ, we have even more immense value and dignity. As Peter tells us in 1 Peter 2:9, 

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim of the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" 

All Christians everywhere are consider royalty and holy in His sight. We are the very possession of this infinitely glorious God. In Ephesians 4 we read, 

"...even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him"

According to this text, God predestined Christians to be holy and without blame since before He created anything! Can you please just take a moment to reflect on that for a second? Before God created this highly complex universe, He chose specific people to be set apart for Himself as blameless! If this does not show you how much we are worth then I am not sure what will. 

Now, that I have established that human beings, both Christians and non-Christians are incredibly valuable, what does this have to do with whether or not mentally ill people have the right to die? Much in every way! Since we are so incredibly valuable, we should always strive to preserve and protect human life at all costs. You may be wondering where does the Bible talk about that now, right? In Proverbs 31:8 we read, 

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed" 

As Christians, it is our duty to stand for the dignity of human life, especially the weak and destitute. When we turn to Psalm 82:3-4 we read, 

"Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked" 

As you can see, it is clearly our duty to protect and preserve human life. I would go as far as to say that if we aren't doing everything we possibly can to protect and preserve human life then we are sinning and should repent. This applies to all human life everywhere from conception until natural death so that would include those who struggle with mental illnesses. We do not have the right to determine who deserves to live or die. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can determine that as He alone is the Creator of life. 

Now, I do sympathize with those who struggle with severe mental illness who feel as if their suffering is too much for them to bear, and I would like to offer some encouragement from the Scriptures that should give one hope. If we turn to Romans 8:18-21 we read, 

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage and and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God" 

No matter what it is that you may be experiencing in this life, it is only temporary. We have an eternal inheritance awaiting us that is far more amazing and makes all of our current suffering seem trivial by comparison. The Apostle Paul was not making light of suffering, however, he was telling us to look at our suffering from an eternal perspective. What exactly was Paul comparing our suffering to when he said this? I believe that he had in mind what the Apostle John would later write about in Revelation 21:1-4. He says, 

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away'." 

Our inheritance is the New Heaven and New Earth where we will be in communion with The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for eternity. There will be no more sin, sorrow, or suffering. We can only imagine what that day will be like but it will be marvelous. I believe this is what Paul was encouraging us to think on when we contemplate our present sufferings. However, it is not that we have to wait until some time much later in the future for our suffering to end. God promises us that in this life our suffering will not last forever. In Romans 8:28, Paul tells us, 

"And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose" 

No matter what we experience in this life, whether it is physical or mental or spiritual, God promises that He is working everything out for our ultimate good. This means that our suffering is not permanent and this should give us reason to persevere no matter how tough things get because we know that God is in control of our circumstances. We can trust Him with our lives because He is good. 

I trust that now you can see the whole "Should The Mentally Ill Have The Right To Die?" debate in a whole new light. I honestly do not like that this topic has come up because I think it is quite upsetting that people are advocating for the killing of vulnerable people. I have even seen Lauren from the Living Well With Schizophrenia YouTube channel advocate for such a thing  and I have immense respect for her. However, I do not agree with her on this topic. It is not compassionate or loving to say that mentally ill people should have the right to kill themselves regardless of whether or not it is done by a doctor. This is just one example of how the secular world cannot offer those who struggle either physically or mentally any kind of real hope. Real hope lies in the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. We need to always remember that and proclaim it from the rooftops because people need to hear where true hope lies. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and I hope that the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ richly blesses you all! Soli Deo Gloria! 

-David Lee Chu Sarchet 
Christian Mental Health Advocate 

Check out the Christ-Centered Mental Health Ministry Website

Check out the other Christ-Centered Mental Health Ministry Website