Claire Brosseau, a Canadian character actress and comedian (Claire Brosseau, 48), has sparked major controversy after publicly saying she will choose medical assistance in dying (euthanasia), saying, "I can no longer endure an incurable mental illness."
According to the Daily Mail's report on the 29th (local time), Brosseau recently said in an interview that beginning with bipolar disorder, she has suffered for decades from numerous mental illnesses including anxiety disorder, chronic eating disorder, personality disorder, substance use disorder and PTSD. She said that after first being diagnosed at 14, she received psychiatric and psychological treatment across North America, tried dozens of medications and therapies and even guided psychedelic therapy, but did not improve.
Her acting career was illustrious. She trained at a prestigious drama school in Montreal, studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater in New York, and worked steadily in musical theater, film and television. She also had projects with James Franco and Danielle, television appearances and a comedy club contract. But she confessed, "I laughed and worked on set, but when I returned to the hotel I fell apart every night."
The decisive turning point came in 2021. After a career slump and an extreme attempt, she decided to apply to Canada's medical assistance in dying program (MAiD). MAiD is a program that guarantees the choice of adults with a "serious and incurable illness," but applications based solely on mental illness have been suspended to date. That suspension was scheduled to end in 2023 but has been postponed twice and delayed until 2027.
Brosseau sued the Canadian government, saying, "Give me the same choice as people with incurable physical illnesses." Her lawsuit immediately triggered social repercussions. Supporters emphasize self-determination, while opponents urge caution citing the variability and recoverability of mental illness.
Opinions are divided even among specialists. Gail Robinson, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto, expressed support, saying, "MAiD can be a reasonable choice," while one of her treating physicians, Dr. Mark Fefergrad, rebutted, "There is potential for recovery, and MAiD is not the only solution."
Brosseau said she has already held a "farewell dinner" with family and acquaintances to inform them of her decision. She is urging changes to the system, saying, "The voices of those who suffer the same pain must be at the center of the discussion." All eyes across Canada are on where the legal rulings and social consensus surrounding her choice will head.
[Photo] Screenshot from Winnipeg Comedy Festival YouTube video
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