NEED TO KNOW
Claire Brosseau has spent 34 years living with a number of mental illnesses that treatments have been unable to relieve
The 48-year-old wants to end her life with medical aid in dying, but she won’t be eligible until March 2027
She’s been transparent about her suicidal ideation over the years and admitted that she doesn’t think she’ll make it to 2027 because of her unbearable illnesses
A Canadian actress and comedian wishes to end her life with medical aid in dying after a years-long struggle with mental illness.
Claire Brosseau was 14 years old when she went on a wild streak and started abusing drugs and alcohol. Her parents became so concerned that they decided to take her to a psychotherapist, who diagnosed her with manic depression. This was the first of many diagnoses: eating disorder, anxiety disorder, personality disorder, substance abuse disorder, chronic suicidal ideation and several other mental health problems.
Brosseau, now 48, told The New York Times that in the past three decades she’s tried numerous treatments, including more than 25 medications, psychiatric care, various therapies and guided psychedelics.
However, nothing has given her real relief.
Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty
Claire Brosseau
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In an open letter posted to her Substack last year, Brosseau gave insight to her years-long battle and even revealed that she has attempted suicide several times.
“I can’t even speak about the real horrors of my situation, because I could be put in the hospital,” she wrote.
Brosseau said her situation has been so unbearable that she wants to end her life with medical aid in dying (MAID).
In 2021, she applied for Canada’s MAID program, which allows patients with terminal illnesses to end their lives with lethal medication either taken themselves or administered by a physician or nurse. The law, however, does not apply to people with mental illnesses. And despite her mental health problems, Brosseau is physically healthy.
An expansion to the law, which would include those with mental illness, is currently set to go into effect in March 2027.
Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty
Claire Brosseau
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However, Brosseau said she doesn’t think she’ll make it that long. “Every day I don’t know if I’ll get through the day,” she told the Times.
One of Brosseau’s psychiatrists, Dr. Mark Fefergrad, said he understands how much she suffers but still thinks she can be successfully treated. “I believe she can get well,” he told the outlet. “I don’t think MAID is the best or only choice for her.”
Her other psychiatrist, Dr. Gail Robinson, admitted that Brosseau’s decision is reasonable. “I would love her to change her mind,” she said. “I would hope that she would not have to do this. But I will support her.”
If Brosseau is granted approval for MAID, she hopes to have her family, psychiatrists and dog Olive there to support her. But she wants to say her goodbyes and have them wait in another room so it’s not painful to watch her die.
“And it’s been too much already,” she told the outlet. “It’s enough.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
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