Psychiatrist Sounds Alarm: Canadian Government Triggering ‘Suicide Contagion’ Crisis

by Frank Bergman

A renowned Canadian psychiatrist is sounding the alarm over the country’s expanding euthanasia regime, warning lawmakers that the government’s plan to begin euthanizing those with mental illness is triggering a dangerous “suicide contagion” and pushing vulnerable patients toward death instead of treatment.

Dr. John Maher, a psychiatrist specializing in severe mental illness, delivered the stark warning during testimony before Parliament’s Special Joint Committee on “Medical Assistance in Dying” (MAiD).

During his testimony, Dr. Maher issued a chilling alert that the push to euthanize the public is creating an alarming new culture where vulnerable people “doctor-shop until dead” rather than seek treatment.

‘It’s Been Normalized’: Alarm Over Growing Suicide Culture

Maher told lawmakers that the normalization of assisted suicide is already taking hold, even among patients who could be treated.

He described a recent case involving a patient with schizophrenia who casually discussed seeking euthanasia if his life circumstances didn’t improve.

Maher said his patient told him that he would apply for MAiD “if he didn’t get a job and a girlfriend.”

“It’s been normalized,” Maher warned.

“It’s suicide contagion.”

He cautioned that expanding euthanasia to include mental illness would accelerate what experts call the “Werther Effect,” where exposure to suicide increases the likelihood of others following the same path.

‘Doctor-Shop Until Dead’

Maher issued a particularly chilling warning about what could happen if the policy moves forward.