Overview

• Zoraya ter Beek, a 28-year-old Dutch woman, has chosen euthanasia due to untreatable mental health struggles, including depression, autism, and borderline personality disorder.
• The decision has sparked debate in the Netherlands, where euthanasia is legal, about the growing trend of opting for euthanasia due to mental health issues.
• Ter Beek's case is seen by some as indicative of a concerning trend where healthcare professionals may too readily consider euthanasia for psychiatric conditions.
• Scheduled for May, the procedure will take place at ter Beek's home, with a sedative followed by medication to stop her heart. Her boyfriend will be by her side.
• The Netherlands, which legalized euthanasia in 2001, has seen a steady increase in euthanasia deaths, accounting for 5% of all deaths in the country in 2022.