Compass is still being developed and is effectively in beta. Some content and features may be incomplete, change, or not work as expected.

Content is anchored to trusted sources where available, but Compass has not yet been clinically reviewed. It provides general information rather than medical advice.

Feedback helps us identify gaps, errors, usability problems and opportunities to improve Compass over time.

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Care and support systems

Voluntary assisted dying

A legal process, available only in some places, by which a person may be helped to end their life.

What it means

Whether it exists at all, what it is called and who may access it are decided by the law of each country and, in some countries, each state. Compass does not describe eligibility or process, because doing so accurately requires naming a jurisdiction. Your own team and local services are the right source.

Why you might hear it

  • It is discussed in forums and news across very different legal settings.
  • What is true in one country may be unlawful in another.

People who may help

Where Compass goes into this

About this explanation

These are plain explanations of words you may come across, not advice about your own situation. Where a word matters to a decision, the question pages go into it properly, and your own team is the place to take it.