Actress, 48, explains why she wants to end her life with assisted dying as she files lawsuit
Topics: Mental Health, Canada
William Morgan
Featured Image Credit: Richard Lautens/Getty
Topics: Mental Health, Canada
Successful comedian and actor Claire Brosseau has shared her intention to end her life by assisted suicide after living for decades with chronic mental health conditions.
Brosseau, 48, has lived with poor mental health since childhood. At 14, an episode of uncontrolled behaviour, as well as drug and alcohol misuse, saw her diagnosed with manic depression.
In the years since, the Canadian actor has also been identified with anxiety disorder, substance abuse disorder, chronic suicidal ideation, PTSD, and a number of other serious conditions.
After seeking help from psychologists and psychiatrists across her native Canada and in the US to no avail, the star is now suing for the right to end her own life using the country's Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) program.
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Montreal-native Brosseau, who has starred in a number of films, opened up to the New York Times about her struggle to control her illnesses, having tried more than two dozen medications and even guided psychedelics in her fight to get better.
But the actor said that no treatments had worked, and she had sadly dealt with multiple suicide attempts over the years.
With no partner or child, the star is now joining a lawsuit with Dying With Dignity Canada to gain the right to assisted suicide through MAiD, which allows for patients with a 'grievous and irremediable medical condition' to end their suffering.
She has wanted to use the MAiD system since it was implemented in 2021, but under protective provisions laid out in the legislation, people living with chronic mental health conditions were made ineligible.
Brosseau told the outlet that her desire to die was in spite of her 'embarrassment of riches', with a successful career and a loving circle of family, friends, and her dog. She said that, despite this, she knew she would inevitably die by suicide.
She said she was asking for 'the same rights as others with incurable illnesses to choose when and how I die.' But her psychiatrist was not so sure.
Dr. Mark Fefergrad was less certain about the inevitability of her death. Believing in her chance at improving after seeing other patients succeed, he said: “I believe she can get well. I don’t think MAiD is the best or only choice for her."
Dr Gail Robinson, one of her other psychiatrists, also told the NY Times that she had hope, but backed the actor's wishes. She said: “I would love her to change her mind. I would hope that she would not have to do this. But I will support her.”
If granted the right to die, which would not likely be effective until 2027 should the lawsuit succeed, Brosseau shared that she hoped both medical professionals, her sister, her parents, and her dog would come to say goodbye.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.