A successful Canadian actress and comedienne, adored by family and friends, has declared she will end her life by assisted suicide, stating she cannot overcome decades of horrific mental illness.
A Lifelong Battle with Mental Health
Claire Brosseau, now 48, was first diagnosed with manic depression at the age of 14 following a wild binge involving drugs, alcohol, and sex. This was merely the beginning of a complex and debilitating mental health journey. Over the years, her diagnoses expanded to include anxiety, chronic suicidal ideation, an eating disorder, personality disorder, substance abuse disorder, PTSD, and numerous other conditions.
In an open letter published earlier this year, Brosseau revealed she has attempted suicide countless times. She has been treated by psychiatrists, psychologists, and counsellors across North America. According to a New York Times report, she has tried dozens of medications, various therapies, and guided psychedelic treatments, all without lasting success.
A Thriving Career Interrupted by Illness
Brosseau's early life showed immense promise. An honours student in Montreal, she starred in school plays and graduated at 16. She was recruited by an elite drama college in Quebec and later studied at the prestigious Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater in New York City.
Her career flourished; she gained steady work in musicals and films, earning good money in an industry where many struggle. She appeared on shows like Entertainment Tonight Canada and landed roles alongside actors such as James Franco. She is pictured as Jenny Reynolds in the 2006 rom-com A Previous Engagement.
Yet, her mental health repeatedly sabotaged her success. Depressive episodes would see her struggle to eat and drown her emotions in booze and drugs, leading to hospitalisation in her early twenties. Even during professional highs, like filming a European movie she called her "dream part," she described returning to her hotel room nightly in suicidal despair.
The Legal Fight for Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD)
In 2021, after another suicide attempt and a period where her career hit a low point, Brosseau decided to apply for euthanasia under Canada's Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) programme. MAiD allows adults with a "grievous and irremediable medical condition" to end their life with a doctor's assistance.
However, patients whose sole condition is mental illness are not yet eligible. This exclusion was initially set to end in March 2023 but has been delayed twice, potentially pushing access back to 2027.
Having already hosted farewell dinners with loved ones, Brosseau is now taking legal action. Alongside former war correspondent John Scully, she has filed a complaint with the Ontario Superior Court, alleging her charter rights are being violated. She argues the law is discriminatory, denying her "the same rights as others with incurable illnesses to choose when and how I die."
Her lawsuit has intensified Canada's heated national debate on assisted suicide. Notably, her own psychiatrists are divided. Dr. Gail Robinson of the University of Toronto believes MAiD is a reasonable choice for Brosseau, while Dr. Mark Fefergrad maintains he believes she can get well and that MAiD is not her best or only option.
For help and support, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on 988.
