Trigger warning: euthanasia, self-harm, suicide
28-year-old Zoraya ter Beek is expected to beeuthanizedin early May, following years of untreatablemental healthstruggles that have become unbearable, leading to a diminished life quality.
The Dutch woman, who has already decided to be cremated, has been reportedly suffering from depression, autism, and borderline personality disorder (BPD).
HighlightsZoraya ter Beek will undergo euthanasia due to untreatable mental health issues.In 2022, euthanasia accounted for 5% of deaths in the Netherlands.Zoraya described the procedure as calm, starting with a cup of coffee.
In 2017, Zoraya had already opened up about her challenges for the Dutch publicationAD, in which she revealed that she started to harm herself at the age of 13.
She would cut herself on her arm regularly, prompting a teacher to send her to behavioral experts, which, at the time, did not lead to a diagnosis or treatment.
In 2015, Zoraya was diagnosed with chronicdepressionand ASD (autism spectrum disorder), and her mood could not be elevated with the help of medications. She was already thinking about euthanasia then.
28-year-old Zoraya ter Beek is expected to be euthanized in early May, following years of untreatable mental health struggles
Image credits:rtlnieuws
She described the process of undergoing euthanasia for theFree Press(FP): “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.”
Image credits:TheFP
As of 2023, euthanasia is legal in Belgium, Canada,Colombia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal (law not yet in force, awaiting regulation), Spain, and all six states of Australia.
Upon the patient’s death, a euthanasia review committee evaluates the death to ensure the doctor adhered todue care criteria. The Dutch government can subsequently declare that the life of the patient was lawfully ended.
Zoraya recalled her psychiatrist telling her that they had tried everything: “There’s nothing more we can do for you. It’s never gonna get any better.”
At that point, she said, she decided to die. “I was always very clear that if it doesn’t get better, I can’t do this anymore,” she told FP.
Zoraya admitted: “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.”
Zoraya decided to be cremated after being diagnosed with depression and autism
Zoraya ter Beek is one of a growing number of people across the West choosing to end their lives rather than live in pain. Pain that in many cases can be treated.
In 2022, euthanasia comprised 5% of deaths in the Netherlands. Read@rupasubramanya’s investigation:…pic.twitter.com/YHh2Sk6DbN
— The Free Press (@TheFP)April 2, 2024
Bored Panda has contacted the Netherlands’ Regional Euthanasia Review Committees (RTEs) for comment about Zoraya’s case.
The RTEs’ latestannual reportindicates that there has been an increase in the number of notifications of euthanasia in the Netherlands.
In 2022, the RTEs received 8,720 notifications, an increase of 13.7% compared to the previous year.
The total number of euthanasia represented 5.1% of the total number of deaths in 2022 in the country, compared to 4.6% in 2021.
Image credits:Enrique Silva
The committees noted that 57.8% of the euthanasia performed in 2022 involved patients with incurablecancer.
The latest figures also showed that 7% of euthanized patients had neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. 4.1% were patients with cardiovascular disease, 3.2% were patients with pulmonary disorders, and 16.4% were patients with a combination of conditions, usually somatic.
“The doctor really takes her time,” Zoraya said, describing the procedure
Image credits:freepik
According to theMaxim Institute, euthanasia is when an attending medical or nurse practitioner takes an action with the singular intention of causing a patient’s death. Generally, this is in the form of a lethal injection.
Assisted suicide is legal in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, parts of theUnited States, and all six states of Australia.
People had divided opinions regarding Zoraya’s decision
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