Permitting euthanasia for mental health problems is deeply disturbing and scary.

The case of Zoraya ter Beek has received global attention. Zoraya, was a physically healthy young woman in her late twenties wishing to die by euthanasia because of her poor mental health, especially after being told by her psychiatrist that she would never get better. Zoraya who was from the Netherlands, campaigned tirelessly to be euthanised. Her request was granted and a few days ago she passed away at the tender age of 29.

Zoraya’s case has naturally stirred up many opinions- some argue that it was her right to want to die and others argue that euthanasia for mental health issues has serious ramifications. I agree with the latter. I’m definitely no staunch right-wing Christian who is vehemently opposed to euthanasia. I don’t believe in prolonging extreme and severe suffering especially when death in imminent in cases such as terminal illness, or degenerative and incurable illnesses such as Motor Neuron Disease or dementia which rob sufferers of their quality of life and cause immense suffering.

The distress and pain that cruel diseases inflict can be inhumane. I have read various accounts of people who have sought euthanasia. In the vast majority of cases, the people desiring to be euthanised were terminally ill and in a great deal of pain, wishing to die a dignified death with minimal pain rather than to suffer unnecessarily and die a painful death caused by their illness. This is perfectly understandable. These people seeking euthanasia were extremely frustrated with the laws in their country not allowing them to die on their terms.

I believe that people should die with dignity especially in the cases mentioned above. However, when it comes to euthanasia on the grounds of mental health, I struggle to understand how it can be justified. I have no doubt that Miss ter Beek was in great mental distress and pain. I just feel overwhelming sadness that those in her life gave up on her. It seems like Miss ter Beek had a reasonable quality of life- she had friends, a relationship with a man she was in love with, a home, and two cats. She didn’t suffer from an illness that caused immense physical suffering and disability or that would further down the line.

Mental suffering sucks. I’ve been through it. There were times that I wished that I could die because my mental health was so bad. I’ve been through stuff in my life that nobody should have to go through. I’m still traumatised by these life events plus in addition I have depression, OCD, autism, chronic fatigue and dyspraxia. Should I die because I’m riddled with these afflictions? Yes these conditions do make my life difficult, but they don’t take away my quality of life. I have a loving family, friends, my cats, my job, my hobbies and dreams. Yes I suffer with the afflictions that I mentioned, but they don’t define me nor do I allow them to hold me back. I see mental health as a chronic condition. I go through good and bad periods.

I don’t believe that Miss ter Beek was a lost cause. I once felt the same way. I’ve tried all kinds of medications and therapies, but these alone won’t do the work. You have to put the work in as well and make the steps to improve your life. I found that gaining employment and keeping myself busy helped a lot. My mum also encouraged me to make a list of five things that I was grateful for everyday. Seeing the positives instead of the negatives really helped me to turn my mind frame around. Going out, meeting people and making friends also helped me to get out of my negative bubble.

I know I make it sound so simple, but it was tough. The negativity bogs you down for so long that it’s all that you know. Poor mental health makes you self-absorbed and consumed with negativity. It took a long time for me to get better. I’m grateful that my mum and my friends played a part in my recovery. I’m still not a hundred percent better and never will be, but I accept it. Life isn’t perfect, but you have to find the good.

I’m sure that Miss ter Beek had a lot to live for, but it seems that the people in her life kept her in a dark place. It also seems that with her plight, Miss ter Beek was crying for help. If her life was so bad surely she would have just committed suicide without campaigning to be euthanised? Maybe she hoped that somebody would reach out to her and help her. What kind of friends, family and partner would be ok with their loved one killing themselves because of their mental health? I certainly know that my friends and family would never allow it. I certainly wouldn’t want to be in a relationship with a guy who was supportive of me killing myself. The psychiatrist who told Miss ter Beek she was beyond help should be struck off and put in prison. Mental health is never a lost cause. This case also says a lot about the Dutch system and its reckless regard for life.

If Miss ter Beek had positive and caring people around her who were dedicated to helping her to recover, perhaps she would still be alive. This case also says a lot about society and the lack of regard it has for life. I was shocked with the amount of comments supporting Miss ter Beek’s decision. We live in a throw-away society where people would rather give up than work to find a solution. Mental health services in the majority of countries are grossly underdeveloped and underfunded as it is. Society has only begun taking mental health seriously these past few years, but many sufferers are still neglected.

I fear that Miss ter Beek’s case will be a worrying precedent when it comes to mental health. I fear that those with mental health problems who have limited access to help or who have had unsuccessful treatment in the hands of bad therapists (I’ve come across many that are poorly qualified and lack empathy), will consider euthanasia as an option. I fear that our ever woke society will support euthanasia in cases like these because it’s “freedom of choice.” Just because someone is able to make a decision doesn’t mean that they are of sound mind. People with mental health problems are highly vulnerable and should be protected.

I regret that I did not write to Miss ter Beek when I first heard about her case. I would have written to her, telling her that I know what it’s like. I’ve been in that place. I’ve wished that I was dead. I even researched ways to kill myself at one point. I understand her pain. I would tell her that it can get better and just because you have mental health problems, it doesn’t make you a lost cause. Sometimes it takes time to get better and recovery isn’t always linear, but there’s a lot to live for.

I doubt it would have made much difference, but the world is a better place when you know that somebody cares about your life. Maybe if more people would have showed that they cared and had wanted to be her friend, she might have decided not to go through with being euthanised. RIP Zoraya. I hope you have found the peace you so badly sought. I’m sorry that your so-called therapists, doctors, friends, family, partner and society all let you down. I hope if anything your case will make people realise how important it is to reach out to and befriend those suffering with mental health and not give up on them. Maybe if you were surrounded by love, support, community and true friendships, you would find a reason to want to live. Let your death be a lesson to us all.