Canadian actress and comedian Claire Brosseau has initiated a legal battle to access medical assistance in dying (MAID), citing decades of unrelenting and treatment-resistant mental illness. The 48-year-old Montreal-born entertainer is part of a lawsuit arguing that excluding individuals whose sole underlying condition is a mental disorder constitutes discrimination.
A Lifelong Struggle with Mental Illness
In a candid interview with the New York Times and an open letter on her Substack titled This is How People Like Me Die, Brosseau detailed a lifelong battle with severe mental health conditions. She has lived with manic depression, an anxiety disorder, substance-abuse disorder, PTSD, and chronic suicidal ideation since childhood.
Despite exhaustive efforts involving dozens of medications, various therapies, and guided psychedelic treatments, Brosseau reports little to no lasting improvement. She has attempted suicide multiple times and has been under the care of numerous psychiatrists and counsellors throughout her life.
The Legal Fight for Eligibility
Brosseau decided in 2021 to apply for MAID, but her path was blocked by federal policy. While Canada's MAID law was expanded, eligibility for individuals suffering solely from mental illness has been repeatedly delayed. The current timeline suggests access may not be granted until March 2027.
Unable to wait, Brosseau has joined a lawsuit with the advocacy organization Dying With Dignity Canada. She is arguing alongside former war correspondent John Scully, who suffers from PTSD, that the exclusion is unconstitutional. "I am asking for the same rights as others with incurable illnesses to choose when and how I die," Brosseau stated. The case is currently pending.
Diverging Medical Opinions and a Personal Plea
The actress's journey has been marked by both crisis and temporary stability. After a substance-fueled incident at the 2016 Canadian Screen Awards left her injured, she achieved sobriety, underwent intensive psychiatric care, and found several years of what she called "remission." However, a career low point in 2021 triggered another severe decline and suicide attempt.
Her own psychiatrists are divided on her pursuit of MAID. Dr. Gail Robinson, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto, told the Times she believes MAID is a reasonable choice for Brosseau and would support her decision. Conversely, Dr. Mark Fefergrad remains adamant that she "can get well" and does not believe MAID is her best or only option.
Brosseau acknowledges she has an "embarrassment of riches" in terms of family, friends, and her dog, but insists her suffering is intolerable. She has stated unequivocally that she will die by suicide one way or another and hopes her loved ones and doctors will support her choice for a peaceful, medically assisted death.
"And it's been too much already," Brosseau said. "It's enough."
