A 28-year-old Dutch woman, Zoraya ter Beek, residing near the German border, has made the poignant decision to end her life through euthanasia, following a prolonged battle with depression, autism, and borderline personality disorder.
Despite her love for her 40-year-old boyfriend and the comforting presence of her two cats, ter Beek has chosen to pursue euthanasia, slated for May, as her mental health struggles persist, as reported by the Free Press.
Once harboring aspirations of becoming a psychiatrist, ter Beek has confronted these challenges throughout her life.
In an interview with The Free Press, ter Beek disclosed her decision, stating, “I was always very clear that if it doesn’t get better, I can’t do this anymore.”
Her case highlights a growing trend in Western societies, where individuals are electing to end their lives due to severe mental health issues, diverging from conventional perceptions where euthanasia was primarily associated with terminal illnesses.
Stef Groenewoud, a healthcare ethicist at Theological University Kampen in the Netherlands, expressed apprehension regarding this trend, observing, “I see the phenomenon especially in people with psychiatric diseases, and especially young people with psychiatric disorders, where the healthcare professional seems to give up on them more easily than before.”
Ter Beek’s euthanasia process has been meticulously planned. Under the care of a doctor, she will be sedated before receiving a drug to halt her heart. Throughout the procedure, scheduled to occur on her living room couch, her boyfriend will remain by her side.
Contemplating her imminent passing, ter Beek acknowledged her apprehension despite her resolute decision, stating, “I’m a little afraid of dying because it’s the ultimate unknown. We don’t really know what’s next – or is there nothing? That’s the scary part.”
The Netherlands, a pioneer in legalising assisted dying since 2001, has witnessed a notable increase in euthanasia cases. In 2022, there were 8,720 euthanasia deaths, constituting approximately 5% of all deaths in the country, as reported by the New York Post.
In February, the former Dutch Prime Minister Dries van Agt, aged 93, and his wife peacefully passed away hand in hand through euthanasia.
Responding to coverage by The Free Press, ter Beek expressed gratitude to those willing to learn from her experiences and announced her withdrawal from social media ahead of her scheduled euthanasia.
Heartbreaking.
