Euthanasia Scheduled For Physically Healthy 28-Year-Old

Euthanasia will be used to end the life of a young woman suffering from depression, autism, and borderline personality disorder.

In May, 28-year-old Zoraya ter Beek, who resides in a small Dutch town near the German border, will end her life by euthanasia.

She had previously considered becoming a psychiatrist, but she was never able to complete her education.

Despite living with her 40-year-old boyfriend in a house with their two cats, she says she is now tired of living.

A psychiatrist told her, ‘There’s nothing more we can do for you. It’s never gonna get any better.’

This was the point where Zoraya decided she wanted to die and told The Free Post: ‘I was always very clear that if it doesn’t get better, I can’t do this anymore.’

To spare her partner from having to clean her grave, she intends to be cremated.

According to Zoraya, her euthanasia would take place on her sofa without any music playing. 

She explained that the doctor would first administer a sedative followed by a drug that would stop her heart and her boyfriend would be by her side at all times.

She said: ‘The doctor really takes her time. It is not that they walk in and say, “Lay down, please!” Most of the time it is first a cup of coffee to settle the nerves and create a soft atmosphere.

‘Then she asks if I am ready. I will take my place on the couch. She will once again ask if I am sure, and she will start up the procedure and wish me a good journey. Or, in my case, a nice nap, because I hate it if people say, “Safe journey.” I’m not going anywhere.’

Zoraya doesn’t have many family members so her boyfriend will find a nice spot in some woods to spread her ashes.

She added: ‘I’m a little afraid of dying because it’s the ultimate unknown. We don’t really know what’s next — or is there nothing? That’s the scary part.’

The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalise assisted suicide in 2001.

In Scotland, an assisted dying bill has been drafted by Lib Dem MSP, Liam McArthur, and is expected to be debated in autumn.

When you have a condition such as this, which can influence your decisions, should assisted dying be given as an alternative to life? I believe in ending suffering and pain, but should mental health be the conclusion to contemplating death? I’m not sure how it works in the Netherlands but a psychiatrist telling their depressed patient that there’s nothing more that can be done for them isn’t right.

What professional psychiatrist talks to a patient like this? What this person needs is understanding, support and help, not that they can’t help her any more, and how can a person with depression and BPD make such a decision when not of sound mind? They have basically washed their hands of her.

People don’t seem to realise, though, just how terrible some mental disorders can be, particularly BPD, which is thought to be the most mentally debilitating of all mental illnesses. This lady should be allowed to choose to end her life with some dignity if she has reached a point where she can no longer live the way she is living. It is likely that she has tried several types of therapy, medicine, and other treatments over the years without finding anything that works.

In the past, mental health providers would stop at nothing to assist individuals. Not any more!