Zoraya ter Beek, who is 28 years old, will be euthanized in May because of severe mental health struggles, as reported by The Free Press. Throughout her life, Ter Beek has dealt with depression, autism, and borderline personality disorder. Despite having a loving boyfriend and pets, she feels her mental illness is untreatable.
Doctors informed Ter Beek there were no further treatment options. This aligns with a growing trend in the Netherlands, where euthanasia is legal. More individuals are opting to end their suffering from mental health issues than to endure them.
Ter Beek’s case has sparked debate. There are those who think that it demonstrates a troubling pattern of healthcare professionals being quick to use euthanasia to handle mental health issues. Others argue that it grants terminally ill patients more control over their final days.
More people are deciding to end their lives while suffering from a slew of other mental health problems like depression or anxiety, amplified by economic uncertainty, climate change, social media, and other issues, The Free Press reported.
“I’m seeing euthanasia as some sort of acceptable option brought to the table by physicians, by psychiatrists, when previously it was the ultimate last resort,” Stef Groenewoud, a healthcare ethicist at Theological University Kampen in the Netherlands, told the outlet.
“I see the phenomenon, especially in people with psychiatric diseases and especially in young people with psychiatric disorders, where the healthcare professional seems to give up on them more easily than before,” she added.
The procedure will take place at ter Beek’s home. The doctor will give her a sedative before administering medication to stop her heart. Her boyfriend will be by her side. Ter Beek’s ashes will be scattered in a designated forest spot after she is cremated.
In 2001, euthanasia was legalized in the Netherlands. Since then, the number of euthanasia deaths has steadily risen. In 2022, it accounted for 5% of all deaths in the country. This has fueled criticism from those who believe the law encourages suicide. Before taking her leave of absence, Ter Beek addressed these concerns on social media.
How will the process take place?
She explained that she will be undergoing the procedure at her home while lying on the couch in her living room. “The doctor really takes her time. It is not that they walk in and say: lay down please! Most of the time it is first a cup of coffee to settle the nerves and create a soft atmosphere. Then she asks if I am ready. I will take my place on the couch. She will once again ask if I am sure, and she will start up the procedure and wish me a good journey. Or, in my case, a nice nap, because I hate it if people say, ‘Safe journey.’ I’m not going anywhere,” she added. Following this, the doctor will administer a sedative and a drug, which will stop her heart.
“I’m a little afraid of dying, because it’s the ultimate unknown,” ter Beek told the outlet. “We don’t really know what’s next – or is there nothing? That’s the scary part,” she added.
