Suicidal Behavior in Mexico: Legal and Bioethical Perspective

Abstract

Suicide and suicidal behaviour represent a global public health issue. In much of the world, suicide has been decriminalized, and Mexico is one of the countries that no longer impose punishment on individuals who commit or attempt suicide. However, legal gaps still exist in which patients are left unprotected, as social factors and individual circumstances limit their ability to achieve the highest level of mental health and well-being. In some countries, attempts have been made to address this problem by acknowledging that palliative interventions have failed to alleviate patients’ suffering. As a result, some have regulated the application of medically assisted dying techniques. However, this remains a controversial topic, as opinions within bioethics societies have created a space for debate around whether "assisted dying" can be considered a medical act. The objective of this work is to conceptualize the legal framework that encompasses all suicidal behaviour and, in parallel, present the positions of some bioethics societies regarding medically assisted dying, questioning whether the right to die can exist. A literature review was conducted using legal documents such as the Mexican Constitution, the General Health Law, and the Penal Code. These do not criminalize suicidal behavior and promote suicide prevention actions. Euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal practices in Mexico. Finally, the paper outlines some contexts in which medically assisted dying is legal and discusses the ethical challenges this poses for the medical community.