Zoraya ter Beek, a 28-year-old resident of a small village near the German border in the Netherlands, chose to end her life through assisted suicide after finding it unbearable to live with depression.
Ter Beek battled depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder for more than ten years. Despite seeking various treatments, she reported no significant improvement in her mental well-being. Her passing was confirmed by a friend’s blog post, which stated she died peacefully at 1:25 pm local time with assistance from the Euthanasia Expertise Center.
The Netherlands has one of the most permissive euthanasia laws in the world
The Netherlands has one of the most permissive euthanasia laws in the world, allowing individuals with unbearable suffering and no prospect of improvement to choose medically assisted death. Ter Beek’s decision highlights the complexities surrounding mental health and the limitations of current treatment options.
Social media tributes and reflections
Social media tributes poured in, with friends describing her passing as a “humane” end to her long struggle. Her social media profile now displays “Departed” in her status, reflecting her passing. Another post suggested her initial intention to die on her 29th birthday, with her date of death originally written as May 2, 2024, and later crossed out. A symbolic image of a bird leaving a bare tree poignantly underscored the sad news.
An obituary published in the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad described Ter Beek’s death as “a dignified death, which she longed for for years due to unbearable psychological suffering.” She was reportedly surrounded by loved ones, including her boyfriend, at the time of her passing, underscoring the support she had during her final moments.