Summary: <br> Suicide Prevention Month<br> <br> September is National Suicide Prevention Month. It’s meant to raise awareness about the issue of suicide, especially in teens and young adults. On this episode of "Case In Point", Aaron Freiwald talks about teen suicide and what resources are available. Along with that, he also brings up the controversial topic of physician assisted suicide.<br> <br> As of now there are 6 states in the United States that allow physician assisted death or “death with dignity”. Those states are: Colorado, Washington, Vermont, California, Oregon, and the District of Columbia.<br> <br> Montana has expanded the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act to allow physician assisted suicide but there isn't the regulatory framework necessary to make it legal. Instead, doctors in Montana are protected from prosecution if they have the patient's request in writing. New Mexico has a similar system in place and New York has tried, unsuccessfully, to get physician assisted suicide approved.<br> <br> Though an option, it is not one that is taken lightly; doctors have very strict guidelines they must follow if a patient chooses to move forward with physician assisted suicide or “Death with Dignity”. For more information on Death with Dignity you can visit:<br> <br> <a href="http://healthcare.findlaw.com/patient-rights/death-with-dignity-laws-by-state.html">http://healthcare.findlaw.com/patient-rights/death-with-dignity-laws-by-state.html</a><br> <a href="https://www.deathwithdignity.org/">https://www.deathwithdignity.org/</a><br> <br> If you know someone who is having suicidal thoughts or think someone you know and love may be please contact one of the resources below:<br> <br> <a href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/">http://www.thetrevorproject.org/</a><br> National Suicide Hotline – 1-800-273-TALK(8255)<br> National Alliance on Mental Illness – Text 741-741<br>
