This is for the friends and families of mental illness sufferers, as well as the individuals themselves, who are fearful of the mentally ill being denied access to assisted-suicide in Canada once legislation is released to fit an agenda that denies us autonomy over our own bodies.

Perhaps medications have been harmful, rather than helpful. Maybe they've just been ineffective. Regardless, it isn't a treatment option some of us are willing to take anymore. Talk therapy can also prove effective for some, while doing absolutely nothing for others.

Why should those of us that suffer from mental illness, and have tried all currently available methods of treatment yet still find our conditions grievous and irremediable, be denied access to a medical procedure that is being granted to others to relieve them of the same nightmare? Presentation of illness from fatal physical diseases to seemingly "lesser" psychological sufferings appear different on the surface, but the desire to die that those of us have is identical.

Some of us have multiple suicide attempts and don't consider each failure a second, third, or fourth chance - they are just failures that have denied us the death we need to escape from the cyclical Hell of our illness. Unfortunately, some of these unsuccessful attempts have left us worse for the wear, with real physical consequence to go with our "invisible" psychological suffering. Some of us live in fear of when the next mood swing or psychological break is going to lead to another suicide attempt - what if we fail that one, too? And even if we don't, being denied access to assisted-suicide means the methods available must be violent, chaotic ways to leave this life.

Where is the humanity in that?

If you believe that assisted-suicide for the mentally ill is a human right that should be included in the upcoming legislation, sign this petition. And if you want to take one more step to try and help Canadians understand why this should be considered as crucial as allowing the option for the terminally ill or physically disabled, share your story. Maybe it'll change a mind

The suffering we experience may be "invisible" to the casual observer, but for those of us that want assisted-suicide to escape our disease, the daily torment we suffer is very real.