Stef Groenewoud, a healthcare ethicist, has observed that healthcare professionals may be more willing to consider euthanasia as an option for young people with psychiatric disorders. This trend is amplified by the growing number of individuals who are facing a myriad of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, which are amplified by economic uncertainty, climate change, and social media.
Zoraya ter Beek, a 28-year-old Dutch woman, has made the decision to undergo euthanasia in May due to severe mental health struggles. She has battled depression, autism, and borderline personality disorder throughout her life, despite having a loving boyfriend and pets. Ter Beek feels that her mental illness is untreatable, as doctors have informed her that there are no further treatment options available to her.
The procedure for ter Beek’s euthanasia will take place at home, with her boyfriend by her side. Her doctor will administer a sedative, followed by medication to stop her heart. Afterwards, ter Beek will be cremated, and her ashes will be scattered in a designated forest spot. The Netherlands legalized euthanasia in 2001, and since then, the number of euthanasia deaths has steadily increased. This has led to criticism from those who believe the law encourages suicide.
Ter Beek’s case has sparked debate among healthcare professionals and the public. Some see it as a concerning trend of readily resorting to euthanasia for mental health problems, while others argue that it grants terminally ill patients more control over their final days. Despite this debate
