A 29-year-old Dutch woman, Zoraya ter Beek, has been granted approval for assisted dying due to unbearable mental suffering, reigniting debate across Europe. She is expected to end her life in the coming weeks after a three-and-a-half-year process under the Netherlands' 2002 euthanasia law.
Ter Beek suffers from chronic depression, anxiety, trauma, and an unspecified personality disorder, and has also been diagnosed with autism. Despite extensive treatments including therapy, medication, and over 30 sessions of electroconvulsive therapy, she found no improvement. 'After 10 years, there was nothing left in terms of treatment,' she said.
Her case has drawn controversy as assisted dying for psychiatric illness remains rare, though numbers are rising. In 2010, there were two such cases; in 2023, there were 138, representing 1.5% of all euthanasia deaths. An article about her case in April triggered international outcry, causing her significant distress.
Under Dutch law, eligibility requires 'unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement,' full information, and competence. Ter Beek underwent multiple assessments and a second opinion. 'Every doctor at every stage says: “Are you sure? You can stop at any point,”' she noted.
Ter Beek expressed relief at the decision, saying, 'It’s been such a long fight.' On the appointed day, a medical team will administer a sedative at her home. She acknowledged the controversy but stressed the strict safeguards in place.
