According to a report by the New York Post, a Dutch woman, Zoraya ter Beek, is set to legally end her life in May due to her struggles with depression, autism, and borderline personality disorder. Despite being physically healthy, Zoraya, 28, has faced the bleak prognosis that her conditions will never improve.
With a 40-year-old boyfriend and two cats, Zoraya had once aspired to become a psychiatrist. However, after being informed by her doctors that there are no further options for her improvement, she made the difficult decision to pursue euthanasia.
Zoraya’s case reflects a growing trend of individuals opting for euthanasia as a solution to mental health challenges, such as depression and anxiety, as reported by the Free Press. Stef Groenewoud, a health care ethicist at Theological University Kampen, notes the shift in perception, where euthanasia is now considered an acceptable option rather than a last resort.
In the Netherlands, where euthanasia was legalized in 2001, Zoraya will undergo the procedure in her living room, surrounded by a supportive atmosphere created by her doctor. Following a sedative, she will be administered a drug to stop her heart.
Despite the legality and acceptance of euthanasia in the Netherlands, Zoraya’s decision raises important ethical and societal questions about the treatment of individuals with psychiatric disorders and the role of healthcare professionals in supporting them.
