Exit International is a leading non-profit, voluntary assisted dying organisation
Exit International was founded in 1997 by Dr Philip Nitschke.
Exit is a non-profit public company with an online supporter base of over 30,000 around the world.
Exit is supported by a small staff & an active network of volunteers.
Exit’s income is derived from memberships, bequests & other donations.
The average age of Exit members is 75 years. The vast majority of Exit members are the well elderly. A significant minority of members are seriously ill.
Exit was formerly known as the Voluntary Euthanasia Research Foundation (VERF).
At Exit, we believe that it is a fundamental human right for every adult of sound mind, to be able to plan for the end of their life in a way that is reliable, peaceful & at a time of their choosing – Dr Philip Nitschke
Exit Public Meetings & Workshops
Exit Public Meetings are free and open to all. Public meetings focus on the political history of the Voluntary Euthanasia/ Assisted / Rational Suicide debate and a person’s right to choose.
These meetings are set to resume (post C19) in Australia in July 2022. For more information visit the Workshops page on this site.
Exit Online Update Webinars & Snippets
In 2022, Exit is holding online ‘Update Webinars’ based upon the The Peaceful Pill eHandbook.
These free Member online events will be held every time a substantial update is made to the eHandbook (most months). See here for more information.
In 2021, a series of 10 Online Snippets were held in lieu of live, face to face workshops. Recordings are available on subscription.
Local Chapters
Exit’s Local Chapters operate at the grass-roots level where they provide a regular meeting point for members to come together and discuss their thoughts and ideas, make new friends and stay on top of the latest information.
Since COVID-19, chapter meetings are held both online and face-to-face.
Exit Coffee & Chats
A subset of Chapter activities, Exit coffee and chat groups are small local groups of Exit members who meet privately in members’ homes for friendship, support and information.
Since COVID-19, ‘coffee & chats’ are held both online and face-to-face.
Peaceful Pill Online Forums
Exit’s Peaceful Pill forums are an online community of Exit Members/ Subscribers of The Peaceful Pill eHandbook. from all over the world.
Research & Development
Exit undertakes an active program of R&D across a range of end of life issues. The results are published in The Peaceful Pill eHandbook.
The current chief R&D Project involves the 3D printed Sarco Euthanasia Capsule.
Political Advocacy
Since Philip Nitschke founded Exit in 1997, he has fought tirelessly for voluntary euthanasia law reform. When he lived in Australia, he stood twice as an Independent candidate for the Melbourne seat of Menzies. In 2013, he ran on the Voluntary Euthanasia Party Senate ticket in the ACT and West Australia and is a past Deputy National Convenor of the Voluntary Euthanasia Party of Australia.
Exit’s Irish Director, Tom Curran, is spear-heading the introduction of right to die law reform in Ireland.
See www.exitinternational.ie for more information.
Exit Publications
Exit Internationalist Email Newsletter
Exit publishes a weekly Email with all the news & views of Exit’s activities & broader issues.
Deliverance Newsletter
Exit publishes a print newsletter – Deliverance – Archive editions are on the Exit website.
Peaceful Pill eHandbook
The continually updated Peaceful Pill eHandbook is published by Exit International in the US & the Netherlands.
Peaceful Pill Handbook
The 2022 print edition is available from Amazon.com
Other Exit Books
Killing Me Softly: Voluntary Euthanasia and the Road to the Peaceful Pill (Penguin)
Damned If I Do: Autobiography of Philip Nitschke (Melbourne University Press)
Exit Internationalist Email List
Exit Conferences & Social Events
NuTech 2023 is planned for Dublin in May 2023.
Exit hosted the NuTech2020.com conference fully online. The recording is available.
Do you need help?
If you feel that you are in need of emotional/ psychological help, please use the phone numbers listed below:
Australia Lifeline: 13 11 14
NZ Suicide Prevention: 0508 828 865
USA: National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1 800 273 8255
Canada Crisis Services: 1 833 456 4566
UK Samaritans: 116 123
NOSP Ireland: 016352139