A new initiative has been launched to push back against the growing acceptance of assisted suicide in the United States.
The nonprofit organization Aging with Dignity, inspired by the legacy of St. Teresa of Calcutta, has introduced a watchdog effort aimed at monitoring and opposing the spread of physician-assisted death across the country.
Introducing Assisted Suicide Watch
On Thursday, Aging with Dignity officially rolled out Assisted Suicide Watch, a program designed to counter what they call “a well-funded effort to convince people that suicide-affirming care is a social good.”
This initiative seeks to challenge the narrative that assisted suicide is an acceptable solution for end-of-life suffering.
Instead, the organization advocates for care that upholds the dignity of life until its natural end.
A Legacy Rooted in Compassion and Faith
Aging with Dignity was founded by Jim Towey, who previously served as legal counsel to Mother Teresa.
His vision for the nonprofit is to provide hope and guidance for those facing end-of-life decisions, ensuring that faith and ethical considerations are central to the process.
The organization has already made a significant impact with its widely distributed “Five Wishes” legal document, which helps individuals outline their preferences for medical care in accordance with their beliefs.
A Response to a Troubling Trend
The launch of Assisted Suicide Watch comes at a time when the practice of physician-assisted suicide is gaining traction in various states.
According to the initiative, more than 2,300 Americans died through assisted suicide in 2023, and over 1,000 lethal prescriptions remain unaccounted for.
The group warns that normalizing suicide as a legitimate medical treatment could have dire consequences.
“If we adopt suicide as a social norm, then we remove any motivation to try and correct the increasing rate of suicide in the country because it is no longer a problem worth fixing but rather a ‘solution’ worth celebrating and promoting,” the initiative states.
Monitoring, Exposing, and Opposing Assisted Suicide Policies
The watchdog effort is committed to tracking both state and national efforts to expand physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Assisted Suicide Watch aims to expose potential dangers associated with these policies and advocate for alternatives that prioritize palliative care, mental health support, and faith-based approaches to end-of-life care.
The Battle for the Future of End-of-Life Care
As debates over assisted suicide continue, Aging with Dignity hopes its new initiative will encourage lawmakers, healthcare professionals, and the public to reconsider the ethical implications of such policies.
By providing resources and raising awareness, Assisted Suicide Watch seeks to protect the sanctity of life and promote compassionate, life-affirming care for those facing terminal illness or chronic suffering.
The conversation around assisted suicide is far from over, but with this new effort, Aging with Dignity is making it clear that they will stand firm in advocating for a culture that values life until its natural conclusion.