The role of the mental health professional in helping significant others of persons who are assisted in death

The involvement of mental health professionals with people who are consider ing assisted death due to a terminal illness is beginning to be discussed m ore frequently in the professional literature; however, one neglected area is working with the significant others of the person who is suffering. This article covers ways both before and after the death that counselors can he lp significant others cope With the dying process, the decision to request assisted death, and the death itself.