Camilla Jessen
A 28-year-old woman believes that her mental illness is so severe that the only solution is death.
A twenty eight year old woman in the Netherlands says she plans to end her life this spring through voluntary assisted suicide, even though she has no physical illness.
Zoraya ter Beek lives in Oldenzaal near the German border with her forty year old boyfriend and their two cats.
She says she has lived her entire life with severe depression, autism and borderline personality disorder. She told The Free Press and Newsner that her psychiatrist once said there was nothing more that doctors could do for her.
Ter Beek says that was the moment she began seriously considering an assisted death.
Planning her final day
The Netherlands allows euthanasia when a doctor gives the patient life ending medication.
Assisted suicide takes place when the patient takes the medication themselves.
The country’s review committee says the request must be voluntary, well considered and based on suffering that is unbearable with no chance of recovery.
Ter Beek says her procedure is planned for early May. She says it will take place on her couch at home.
She expects her doctor to take time to help her stay calm. According to her, the doctor will ask more than once if she is sure of her decision before giving a sedative and then a drug that stops the heart.
Afterward, the review committee will examine the case to confirm the law was followed.
Ter Beek says she does not want a grave that her boyfriend would need to maintain. She plans to be cremated and wants her ashes scattered in a quiet wooded area the couple chose together.
Critics fear assisted death is becoming too common
Ethicists warn that assisted suicide is now discussed too quickly with younger patients who have treatable conditions.
Health ethicist Stef Groenewoud says she sees a growing number of cases where doctors appear to give up earlier than before.
Professor Theo Boer, who served on a euthanasia review board, says he watched the practice shift over the years from a last resort to something closer to a standard option.
Online, people from around the world have reacted strongly to ter Beek’s decision.
Some urged her to seek new treatment and support. Others shared their own stories of surviving severe depression and said they were thankful they did not have access to assisted death at the time.
Ter Beek says she still feels some fear about dying because of the uncertainty of what comes next, but she believes this is the only way to end her suffering.
Assisted death is currently legal under specific regulations in the Netherlands, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, France, Japan, Australia and several states in the United States.
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, who may have used AI in the preparation
