Warning: This article contains discussion of depression, self-harm, and assisted dying, which some readers may find distressing.
A 29-year-old woman from the Netherlands, Zoraya ter Beek, has sadly passed away after being granted the right to seek euthanasia. Zoraya had been battling chronic depression, anxiety, trauma, and an unspecified personality disorder for many years.
Zoraya’s death was confirmed by a friend’s blog post on May 22nd at 1:25 pm local time. Before her passing, Zoraya openly shared her struggles and the various treatments she had undergone in an attempt to find relief. These included therapy, medication, and over 30 sessions of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which she had hoped would provide some improvement.
“In therapy, I learned a lot about myself and coping mechanisms, but it didn’t fix the main issues,” she told The Guardian. “At the beginning of treatment, you start out hopeful. I thought I’d get better. But the longer the treatment goes on, you start losing hope.”
Zoraya’s last ECT session was in August 2020, and in December of the same year, she made the decision to apply for assisted dying. After a decade of seeking treatment, she felt there was nothing left for her to try. Zoraya knew she couldn’t continue living in the state she was in.
Zoraya had hoped that meeting her partner would improve her situation, but she still struggled with self-harm and suicidal thoughts. In the Netherlands, individuals can be granted the right to euthanasia if they experience “unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement” and can demonstrate full mental capacity.
The process for assisted dying is a lengthy and complicated one. Zoraya explained, “It’s not like you ask for assisted dying on a Monday and you’re dead by Friday. I was on a waiting list for assessment for a long time because there are so few doctors willing to be involved in assisted dying for people with mental suffering.” The eligibility assessment involves multiple stages and independent reviews.
Despite facing guilt and fear, Zoraya remained resolute in her decision. She acknowledged the pain her loved ones would experience but was determined to go through with it. Before her death, Zoraya expressed relief after the long fight and expected that she would be given a sedative before receiving drugs to stop her heart.
Zoraya spoke about her partner being present in the room during the procedure, but she reassured him that it was okay if he needed to leave.
It is important to seek support if you are experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings. Organizations like the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) offer assistance. You can reach them at 0800 58 58 58 or through their webchat service if you’re not comfortable talking on the phone.
