Zoraya ter Beek: The Decision for Assisted Dying Due to Prolonged Mental Suffering Sparks Debate in Europe
Zoraya ter Beek, a 29-year-old Dutch woman suffering from chronic depression, anxiety, trauma, and an unspecified personality disorder, is expected to end her life in the coming weeks after receiving approval for assisted dying. Her case has ignited widespread debate across Europe regarding euthanasia for individuals with mental illness.
After more than three and a half years of evaluation under the Netherlands’ euthanasia law, which was enacted in 2002, Ter Beek received final approval last week. While assisted dying for psychiatric patients remains uncommon in the Netherlands, the numbers have been steadily rising—from just two cases in 2010 to 138 in 2023, accounting for 1.5% of the 9,068 euthanasia cases that year.
Her story gained international attention after an article about her case was published in April, leading to a wave of public reactions that placed her under immense psychological pressure. Speaking to The Guardian, Ter Beek acknowledged that discussions around her case—and the broader issue of assisted dying—were inevitable. However, she found it frustrating that many assumed mentally ill individuals were incapable of making rational decisions.
A Battle with Illness and the Journey to Her Final Decision
Ter Beek has struggled with depression, anxiety, and trauma since childhood. She was also diagnosed with autism. When she met her partner, she hoped that the stability of their relationship would help her heal, but she continued to self-harm and experience suicidal thoughts.
She underwent extensive treatments, including therapy, medication, and more than 30 sessions of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). While therapy helped her develop coping mechanisms, it did not resolve her underlying issues. “At the beginning of treatment, I had hope. I thought I would get better. But as the treatment went on with no improvement, I started losing hope,” she said.
After a decade of unsuccessful treatments, she realized there were no options left that could alleviate her suffering. She had considered taking her own life but was deterred by the memory of a classmate’s tragic suicide and its devastating impact on the girl’s family.
In December 2020, after completing ECT treatment in August of that year, Ter Beek applied for assisted dying. The process was long and complex, involving multiple evaluations by independent doctors. “It’s not like you ask for assisted dying on a Monday and you’re dead by Friday,” she explained. “There are so few doctors willing to handle cases of mental suffering, so I was on a waiting list for a long time. I had to go through several assessments, a second opinion, and an independent review before getting approval.”
Throughout the process, she never wavered in her decision. “I’ve felt guilt—I have a partner, family, and friends, and I’m not blind to their pain. I’ve also felt scared. But I am absolutely determined to go through with this.” She emphasized that at every stage, doctors reassured her that she could stop the process at any time. She also noted that her partner was often present during discussions but was asked to leave the room on several occasions to ensure that she was speaking freely.
Public Backlash and Her Final Moments
After her story went viral, Ter Beek received an overwhelming number of messages, mostly from people outside the Netherlands, particularly from the United States. Many urged her to reconsider, telling her that her life was precious. Others insisted they had a cure, recommending special diets or medications. Some even told her to find Jesus or Allah, while others warned that she would burn in hell. “It was a total storm of negativity, and I couldn’t handle it,” she said. Overwhelmed, she deleted all her social media accounts.
Now that the process is nearing its end, Ter Beek feels a sense of relief. “It has been such a long fight,” she admitted. “I feel guilty too, but sometimes, when you love someone, you have to let them go.”
On the appointed day, the medical team will come to her home. She will first be given a sedative, and only after she is in a coma will the final drug be administered to stop her heart. “For me, it will feel like falling asleep,” she said. Her partner will be present, though she has assured him that it is okay if he needs to leave the room before the moment of her passing.