Nicole: suicide and terminal illness

The terminally ill person who plans suicide poses a clinical dilemma in suicidology. Issues of rational suicide are complicated. Although experts (Battin, 1991; Hoff, 1989; Motto, 1972; Pretzel, 1984; Saunders & Valente, 1988) recognize rational suicide, the prevailing paradigm of suicide prevention rests on an assumption that suicide is an irrational response to a temporary crisis. This bias may interfere with serious responses to terminally ill patients who plan suicide. The purpose of this case is to invite dialogue and thoughtful debate about responses to people who contemplate suicide because of terminal illness.