American Association of Suicidology: MAiD is Not Suicide

The American Association of Suicidology, this country’s largest suicide prevention organization, has restored its position statement distinguishing medical aid in dying from suicide. AAS states that suicide and medical aid in dying are “conceptually, medically, and legally different phenomena” and emphasizes that its mission to prevent suicide does not extend to the “reflective, anticipated death” a physician may legally help a dying patient facilitate.

In March 2023,  AAS temporarily retired all position statements pending periodic review. However, the statement’s absence from the website was misinterpreted by some organized opposition groups, including Not Dead Yet, as a formal retraction indicating AAS had recognized errors in their position. This was never the case. AAS’s position distinguishing medical aid in dying from suicide remained unchanged throughout this period, and the statement has now been fully restored.

The AAS website states, “Suicide and Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) are conceptually, medically, and legally different phenomena, with an undetermined amount of overlap between these two categories. Our mission is to prevent suicide; however, MAID has no bearing on the reflective, anticipated death a physician may legally help a dying patient facilitate.”

First issued in 2017, this statement has served as an authoritative, singular resource for end-of-life educators and advocates. The AAS asserts clear professional judgment that MAiD and suicide should not be conflated. This is invaluable when explaining the fundamental distinctions between suicide and medical aid in dying.

The statement has been reposted and is once again publicly available at https://suicidology.org/advocacy/medical-assistance-in-dying/.