Euthanasia for Mental Health: The Debate Surrounding Zoraya ter Beek’s Decision

Zoraya ter Beek, a 28-year-old Dutch woman, has made the difficult decision to undergo euthanasia due to her severe mental health struggles. She has been battling depression, autism, and borderline personality disorder for the majority of her life. Despite having a supportive boyfriend and pets, she feels that her mental illness is beyond treatment.

After being informed by doctors that there were no further treatment options available, she decided to pursue euthanasia, a legal option in the Netherlands. This decision reflects a growing trend in the country where more individuals are choosing to end their suffering from mental health issues rather than continue to endure them.

The case of Zoraya ter Beek has ignited a debate among the public. Some view it as a concerning trend where euthanasia is readily used for mental health problems, while others see it as granting terminally ill patients more control over their end-of-life decisions.

According to The Free Press, there is an increasing number of people deciding to end their lives due to various mental health challenges, exacerbated by factors such as economic uncertainty, climate change, and social media. Healthcare professionals are also more open to considering euthanasia as a viable option for those with psychiatric disorders.

Zoraya ter Beek’s procedure will take place in her home, where her doctor will administer a sedative followed by medication to stop her heart. Her boyfriend will be by her side during this process, and her ashes will be scattered in a designated forest spot. Euthanasia was legalized in the Netherlands in 2001