Year: 1977 Source: British Medical Journal, (August 6 1977), p.389 SIEC No: 19950494

Smith’s letter replies to the July 23 leading article, “Accident or Suicide?”. He refutes the conclusion that “accidental deaths…should be included in the mortality of mental illness”. He denies that suicide is, by definition, always proof of mental derangement, & instead claims that dying can be voluntary, especially in a case of terminal illness with prolonged suffering. He says that the era when suicide could only be conscionable as the action of a mentally disturbed individual is over.