In May, Zoraya ter Beek, a 28-year-old Dutch woman, made the difficult decision to end her life through euthanasia due to severe mental health struggles. Throughout her life, she has battled depression, autism, and borderline personality disorder. Despite having a loving boyfriend and pets, she feels that her mental illness is untreatable.
This decision aligns with a growing trend in the Netherlands, where euthanasia is legal. More individuals are choosing to end their suffering from mental health issues rather than continuing to endure them. However, Ter Beek’s case has sparked debate among the public. Some believe it highlights a concerning trend of healthcare professionals readily resorting to euthanasia for mental health problems, while others argue that it grants terminally ill patients more control over their final days.
As reported by The Free Press, more people are considering euthanasia as an acceptable option due to a variety of mental health problems, including depression and anxiety. Stef Groenewoud, a healthcare ethicist, expressed concerns about healthcare professionals giving up on patients with psychiatric diseases more easily than before.
The euthanasia procedure will take place at Ter Beek’s home, where her doctor will first administer a sedative followed by medication to stop her heart. Her boyfriend will be by her side during this process. Following her passing, Ter Beek will be cremated
