Year: 1994 Source: Health & Social Work, v.19, no.4, (November 1994), p.237-244 SIEC No: 19950748

The ethics of assisted suicide & the wisdom of changing public policy to support assisted suicide are considered from the social work perspective. The social work values of client self-determination & client well-being are discussed. Callahan finds assisted suicide unethical: studies indicate that the judgement of most suicidal people is impaired as a result of depression or other mental illness. In addition, assisted suicide may lead to increased rates of suicide in the general population.