"I think if people didn't have to worry about meeting basic needs , there would be a lot more room to figure out their mental health. I think if people weren't worried about poverty and food insecurity and housing insecurity, all of which often disproportionately impact marginalised communities, I think it would be a lot easier to want to be alive for lack of better words."

In this month's episode, Kathy and Keri-Lyn are privileged to sit down with Jay Tang to discuss suicide, mental health, and medical assistance in dying.

Jay Tang (they/them) is a disabled trans settler currently residing on lək̓ʷəŋən territory, colonially known as Victoria, BC. They are currently pursuing a PhD in sociology and have a multidisciplinary background with an MSc in Social Dimensions of Health and a BSc in Biology and Psychology. Driven by lived experience, Jay’s work spans diverse topics across the areas of disability, sexuality, queerness and transness, and healthcare. Their current work explores the relationships between suicidality and medical assistance in dying, and the implications of legalising MAID for mental illness, particularly for multiply marginalised queer/trans populations.

Jay’s SSHRC-funded study was one of the first to highlight queer/trans perspectives on MAID for mental illness, and their findings have been shared through a public webinar and report via Égale, Canada’s leading organisation for 2SLGBTQI people and issues; at Canadian and international conferences; and at community events and guest lectures.

Jay is currently the project lead and co-investigator on a CIHR Catalyst Grant-funded study exploring the use of mental health crisis services among 2S/LGBTQ+ communities, and the perceived implication of MAID for mental illness on provision of and access to such services.

Music for Disrupting Death was created by the ever-lovely Sarah McInnis. Sarah is a music therapist, a songwriter, a multi-instrumentalist and End-of-Life Doula. In 2021, Sarah began The Legacy Song Project, writing original songs for folks at the end-of-life, and for folks who have lost loved ones. To learn more about Sarah, visit her website https://sarahmcinnis.com.

This episode of Disrupting Death was produced by Keri-Lyn Durant.

“I think it's important to have the opportunity to hear that people live through this, and people can be okay on the other side as surviving family members. I think in a way, the process of grief for losing both of my parents at a very young age in a lot of ways to me was made easier because of the conversations we had leading up to their passing and the way in which they passed with MAiD.”

This month, Kathy and Keri-Lyn speak again with the CEO Helen Long and welcome volunteer Simone Martin, both of Dying With Dignity Canada, about story sharing, navigating MAiD experiences, and end-of-life planning. Helen Long is the CEO at Dying With Dignity Canada. The organization's mission is to ensure access to quality end-of-life choice and care through advocacy, education, and support. Helen began her career in the not-for-profit sector, working with organizations including ALS Canada, and Mother’s Against Drunk Driving, and Child and Family Services in her local community. Prior to joining Dying With Dignity Canada as CEO in early 2020, Helen was the President of the Canadian Health Food Association, the leading trade association in the natural health sector.

With a long track record of informed engagement, Helen led DWDC through the successful passage of Bill C-7, amending Canada’s medical assistance in dying legislation. She has kept DWDC engaged in the subsequent work of the Special Joint Committee, advocating on behalf of people across Canada, educating stakeholders, and engaging supporters on the most pressing issues related to end-of-life rights today.

Simone Martin experienced the passing of both of her parents through MAiD. Her mom, Wendi, was always known for doing things on her own terms. This included open conversations with her family about her desire to avoid unnecessary suffering when it came to the end of her life. Fortunately, MAiD was legalized in Canada before her terminal cancer diagnosis in 2018, and she was afforded the most important autonomy she deserved. This experience left an indelible mark on the entire family. When her dad, Steve, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2022, he was quick to reflect on the dignified way in which the love of his life passed and bravely chose MAiD. Simone was fortunate to have a close relationship with both of her parents and feels fortunate to have played a role in supporting both of them through their palliative journeys.

Simone honours the legacy of her parents by volunteering for Dying With Dignity Canada and hopes to inspire others to feel comfortable speaking about death and dying. Simone’s mom and dad are very much a part of her life, mainly through stories she shares with her young son about the incredible people his Grammy and Grandpa were.

Learn more at: wecanchoose.org

Music for Disrupting Death was created by the ever-lovely Sarah McInnis. Sarah is a music therapist, a songwriter, a multi-instrumentalist and End-of-Life Doula. In 2021, Sarah began The Legacy Song Project, writing original songs for folks at the end-of-life, and for folks who have lost loved ones. To learn more about Sarah, visit her website https://sarahmcinnis.com.

This episode of Disrupting Death was produced by Keri-Lyn Durant.

“We have to support people in making the decisions they want to make. So decisions have to be free, they have to be informed, and they must be made by capable individuals. And so we need to be careful not to set up protection of the vulnerable as oppositional to autonomy. I think they're complementary. And so we need to be careful not to set up protection of the vulnerable as oppositional to autonomy. I think they're complementary. We respect autonomy. If people have decision-making capacity, we respect that. We also look to ensure that they're making a fully informed and free decision, and we protect them from external forces, but we don't protect them from themselves.”

In this month’s episode, Kathy and Keri-Lyn have the esteemed honour of sitting down with Jocelyn Downie SJD, FRSC, FCAHS, to discuss current and evolving legalities regarding MAiD care in Canada. Dr. Jocelyn Downie is Professor Emeritus in the Faculties of Law and Medicine at Dalhousie University. She is the author of Dying Justice: A Case for Decriminalizing Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide in Canada and a member of the Royal Society of Canada Expert Panel on end-of-life decision-making.

Jocelyn is on the plaintiff's legal team in Carter v. Canada, O'Neill v. British Columbia, and Brosseau v. Canada and the Attorney General. She is a member of the provincial/territorial expert advisory group on physician-assisted dying, the Canadian Council of Academics expert panel on MAID, and the Model Practice Standard Task Group.

Jocelyn is also a fellow of both the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and was named a member of the Order of Canada, in part for recognition of her work advocating for high-quality end-of-life care in Canada.

Music for Disrupting Death was created by the ever-lovely Sarah McInnis. Sarah is a music therapist, a songwriter, a multi-instrumentalist and End-of-Life Doula. In 2021, Sarah began The Legacy Song Project, writing original songs for folks at the end-of-life, and for folks who have lost loved ones. To learn more about Sarah, visit her website https://sarahmcinnis.com.

This episode of Disrupting Death was produced by Keri-Lyn Durant.