Euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending a person’s life to relieve suffering due to a terminal illness or an incurable condition. It is often done at the request of the person who is suffering. Euthanasia has been rendered illegal in India but the Netherlands is one of the first countries to have legalised active euthanasia.
Even today, there are several debates around this subject. Those arguing in favour of it highlight the right to die with dignity, the relief of suffering, and the autonomy of individuals to make decisions about their own lives, especially in the face of terminal illness or unbearable suffering. Those opposing the practice argue from religious or ethical perspectives and believe that intentionally ending a human life is inherently wrong.
Having said that, a 28-year-old Dutch woman in the Netherlands will be undergoing euthanasia in May due to severe mental health struggles.
According to NDTV, she suffers from crippling depression, autism, and borderline personality disorder and has endured them throughout her life. Having undergone multiple treatments for her condition, the doctors have now informed her that there are no further treatments that can cure her condition.
The procedure will be taking place at her home in the presence of her boyfriend. The doctor will first administer a sedative, followed by medication to stop her heart. After she passes away, she will be cremated and her ashes will be scattered in a forest. Her name is Zoraya Ter Beek.
Several Indians took to X to extend their support towards Ter Beek and expressed how even today, a majority of people do not understand the seriousness of mental health issues. While there were many who gave the typical arguments against euthanasia saying that she should go through a religious or spiritual path and practice yoga, it is important to note that different people can have different kinds of depression. Ter Beek’s condition coupled with autism and BPD is severe.
The lack of understanding about depression in the comments here is very upsetting. I understand her distress. The thought of living through treatment-resistant depression is unbearable. We should bear in mind that without this option, people anyway die by suicide due to distress
— Ranjitha Gunasekaran (@ranjim) April 3, 2024
Forcing a chronically depressed person, a person in chronic pain, to continue living seems far more cruel than any other alternative. Including euthanasia.
This is assuming all alternatives have been exhausted. Which appears to be the case here.
— Amit Behere (@_amitbehere) April 3, 2024
I would’ve availed this option if it was available in our country to be very honest.. for some people there is really no point at all to keep struggling..
— Dr Debasree Sarkar (she/her) (@DebSreeSarkar) April 3, 2024
Mental pain is pain too. No one else other than her would know the pain caused by her experiences in life. And the individual’s mental strength and tolerance to trauma varies. It’s quite unfortunate that she has come to this conclusion though.
— San 🫧 Sita’s 🐥 (@gekmensen) April 3, 2024
In places where such options are not available, people who suffer like this may sadly take their own lives in other ways. Euthanasia, I guess, provides a kind of legitimacy and dignity to patient who makes the decision & their surviving family. No easy answers. May she find peace
— Ziba Bhagwagar (@howbza) April 3, 2024
If the condition is incurable ,we should respect the choice of termination of life ,of course when they’ve explored all the alternate paths to ameliorate their condition.
A victim of years of psychological torment shouldn’t be forced either to live up to anyone’s expectations.— दिव्य (@singh_divy8716) April 3, 2024
The news is hard to digest when we live in a society where we are only taught about not giving up, there’s always a way, etc but practically that option is only for the hopeful and determined ones. Others end up being miserable or a junkie.
— Rishabh (Krish) Chandrakar (@reelkrish) April 3, 2024
People with severe depression should sit on a board to decide if depression qualifies for euthanasia. A regularly person cannot decide this
— Nagesh Srigiriraju (@yachu9) April 3, 2024
What are your views regarding this topic?