Physician-assisted death (PAD) for patients suffering from a mental illness is allowed in the Netherlands under certain conditions but is a very controversial topic, mainly discussed by ethicists and physicians. The voice of the patient is rarely included in the debate, so we know little about what their views on the topic are. We aim to understand the views of patients with mental illness and wish to die with regard to the possibility of PAD in the Netherlands. The data for this qualitative study were collected through 21 in-depth interviews with Dutch patients who have a wish for PAD as a result of suffering from a mental illness. We identified four themes in relation to the meaning of PAD for the patients suffering from mental illness and wish to die. These themes are (1) Autonomy and self-determination, (2) ending the suffering, (3) recognition, and (4) a dignified end-of-life. The option of PAD for patients suffering from mental illnesses was considered of great importance to the patients who have a wish to die. We highlight the importance of ‘recognition’ for the situation of the patient, as this could lead to new perspective. We argue that psychiatrists need to reflect on providing this recognition in earlier phases of treatment, taking seriously and discussing a wish for PAD in treatment is beneficial to patients. It provides space for the patient to discuss their wishes and could cause them not wanting to die anymore.

在荷兰，在某些情况下允许患有精神疾病的患者进行医生协助死亡（PAD），但这是一个非常有争议的话题，主要由伦理学家和医生讨论。患者的声音很少被纳入辩论中，因此我们对他们对这个话题的看法知之甚少。我们的目的是了解荷兰患有精神疾病和希望死去的患者对于 PAD 可能性的看法。这项定性研究的数据是通过对因患有精神疾病而希望接受 PAD 的荷兰患者进行 21 次深度访谈而收集的。我们确定了与 PAD 对于患有精神疾病并希望死亡的患者的意义相关的四个主题。这些主题是（1）自治和自决，（2）结束痛苦，（3）认可，以及（4）有尊严的结束生命。对于患有精神疾病的患者来说，选择 PAD 对于那些想死的患者来说非常重要。我们强调“认识”患者情况的重要性，因为这可能会带来新的视角。我们认为，精神科医生需要反思在治疗的早期阶段提供这种认识，认真对待并讨论 PAD 治疗的愿望对患者有益。它为患者提供了讨论他们的愿望的空间，并可能使他们不再想死。