Suicide and Assisted Dying: The difference is more than just wording - Wellington

“Words matter because clarity in words is a part of clarity in thinking, and because some words carry great emotional and symbolic weight, and thus should be not used lightly.” —Jeffrie G. Murphy

While the narrative of a suicidal person may be similar to someone wishing to take up the option of assisted dying when at the end stage of a terminal illness, they are quite different in meaning and require different responses and interventions.

In November 2021 the End of Life Choice Act allowing assisted dying became law. The previous year's public referendum saw a robust public debate about whether people have the right to end their life at a time of their choosing and, if so, under what circumstances. It presented a combination of philosophical, moral, legal and ethical dilemmas. The public debate highlighted the common misconception that assisted dying equates suicide. 

The meaning of death for the suicidal person is also not singular, ranging from desire to escape intolerable ‘psych ache” through to the existential sense that life no longer has purpose or meaning. 

For those with chronic mental illness or non-terminal illnesses such as chronic pain, the lack of quality of life is seen by some as a justification for ending one’s life. This often poses a dilemma in making a distinction between assisted dying and suicide and can be challenging for counsellors and clinicians. Having these difficult conversations will be a focus of this workshop. 

Understanding the difference between assisted dying and suicidality is critical for those working with older people and those with a terminal illness. The workshop will cover the complex interrelationship of factors, the difference between suicidality and assisted dying and the appropriate responses and interventions for each.

The issues for those bereaved by suicide or assisted dying will also be covered as once again there are both differences and similarities in people’s responses to the deaths. Bereavement related suicidality will also be covered. 

The workshop draws on the presenter's experience supportng people dying of AIDS which quite ofen involved having discussions about their death and their desire to decide on when and how they died. It was these discussions that necessitated Barry to examine his own attitudes towards assisted dying, particularly in light of his work in suicide prevention. From his reflections, his reading of the research on assisted dying and listening to both suicidal people and those dying he has developed a conceptual model that helps to examine the similarities and the differences between suicidality and assisted dying.

Designed specifically for those working in settings such as aged care, hospice, palliative care, illness specific organisations (e.g. Cancer Society) and loss and grief support services, this workshop allows for those from these sectors to collectively examine assisted dying or suicide from the perspctive of legal and ethical issues such as duty care and the philosopy that informs palliative and hospice care.

Rather than the presentation of definitive answers, the workshop is an opportunity for participants to explore the complexity and the tensions that arise in both suicide and assisted dying. There will be opportunity for open discussion and the raising of legal, ethical and moral issues for group consideration.

Topics Include:

• The phenomenon of suicide – its meaning and the narrative of despair
• Assisted Dying - What it is and and why it is such a dilemma
• Drawing the line – who we allow to voluntarily end their life and those we don’t
• When does it stop being assisted dying and becomes suicidality?
• Quality of life and the existential motivator for living
• Depression and dying
• SupporAng those bereaved by suicide and assisted dying
• Bereavement related suicidality

An opportunity for a day of learning with internationally respected suicidologist, Barry Taylor

Barry has worked in mental wellbeing promotion and suicide prevention/postvention for 35 years at the local, national and international levels. His extensive experience includes sitting on state and national government advisory committees; designing, implementing and evaluating suicide prevention programs; writing suicide prevention guidelines, training packages and community resources; providing technical advice to community based and national mental wellbeing and suicide prevention programs.

Throughout his career, he has been a strong advocate for more focused action on suicide in older people which he termed "the forgotten population." He is the only New Zealand member of the International Suicide in Older Persons Working Group. As a Health Sociologist and Public Health practitioner, Barry has a long-term interest in the factors that contribute to mental distress and suicide risk in older people, such as social isolation, retirement and sense of purpose.

He has led multiple ‘firsts’ in the context of suicide prevention and postvention both in Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to mental wellbeing and suicide prevention, he was awarded in 2016 the NSW Mental Health Commissioner's Community Champion Award. He currently sits on the Health and Disability Ethics Committee.

Arising out of his work with those bereaved by suicide, he has held several leadership roles in the loss and grief sector. This has included being State President of National Association for Loss and Grief (Victoria) and the inaugural convenor of the Victorian Loss and Grief Practitioners Accreditation Committee. He has also developed and piloted an industry based Certificate of Bereavement Studies for the Australian Funeral Directors Association. He is an experienced grief counsellor using narra8ve approaches with a particular interest of working with men dealing with loss and trauma throughout their lifespan.

After a number of years overseas, Barry is living back in New Zealand and is passionate about building the knowledge base, competence and capability within our country to effectively respond to the unacceptably high rate of suicide in this country.

WORKSHOP DETAILS

WORKSHOP PLACES ARE LIMITED. REGISTER EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT
Places in each workshop are limited. If the workshop is full please register your name on the waitlist

Group Booking Discount: Book 3 or more participants in one booking and receive 20% discount off each registration

Payment: Payment is by either:
Credit Card (Visa or Mastercard) or 
Instalment payment (ZIP and Afterpay) 
Invoice - Organisations can request to pay by invoice. At payment method click on Invoice,

Terms for Payment By Invoice
Payment by Invoice is only for NGOs, Government Departments, Te Whatu Ora, PHOs, Schools and tertiary organisations, businesses.

By selecting to pay by invoice the organisation agrees to the following conditions:

1.  Your place in the workshop is not confirmed until payment has been received. Payment of the invoice must be made within seven days of registering to avoid having your registration cancelled. Late payment fees apply.

2.  A Tax Invoice from TaylorMade Training and Consulting will be sent to you separately which will contain bank details for payment.  

3.  By registering for the workshop, you agree to the cancellation and policy. (refer below).  Organisations who cancel within seven days of the workshop and have not paid the invoice for the outstanding registration fee are still obligated to pay the outstanding debt.

Cancellation and Refund Policy
Workshops can fill quickly. If you are no longer able to attend the workshop please cancel your registration as soon as possible. The following refund policy is strictly adhered to.

Cancellation up to seven days prior to the commencement of the workshop:  Full Refund less $45+GST admin fee

Cancellation within seven days prior to the commencement of the workshop: No refund but registration can be transferred to another person. To transfer your registration log on to your registration and update the name and contact details to the new person attending.

Non attendance:   No refund

Disclaimer: The information and professional advice delivered in the workshop and the associated printed material is provided solely on the basis that before relying on this material, participants should obtain appropriate advice relevant to their particular circumstance to evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance for their purposes. TaylorMade Training and Consulting will not be liable for any damages of any kind to any person or entity arising from the use of this information. Your attendance at this workshop reflects your acceptance of this statement.

Organiser Contact Details

Barry Taylor
Principal Consultant |  TaylorMade Training and Consulting
Mobile:  022 397 9294
Email:  registration@4wellbeing.nz   Website:  www.4wellbeing.nz

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