Warning: This article contains discussion of assisted dying that some readers may find distressing
The boyfriend of a 29-year-old woman who died by euthanasia has revealed what her final wish was.
Zoraya ter Beek died at 1:25pm local time on 22 May, less than a month after her birthday, according to a blog post shared by a friend.
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The Dutch woman had been very open and honest about seeking assisted dying, as she had been granted the right to euthanasia on the grounds of her mental health.
In the Netherlands, residents can be given this right if experiencing ‘unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement’ and are able to show they are fully mentally capable and informed of the decision they are making.
She previously explained to The Guardian how she suffered from anxiety, trauma, chronic depression and unspecified personality disorder.
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ter Beek described how she ‘continued to self-harm and feel suicidal’.
After trying various therapies and medications, as well over 30 sessions of electroconvulsive therapy, the ‘main issues’ still were not fixed.
So, the woman sought out assisted dying as her final resort, explaining her decision: “People think that when you’re mentally ill, you can’t think straight, which is insulting.”
She was with her boyfriend when she died earlier this week but no other further details of her assisted death have been shared.
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A tribute believed to be from him said: “Now it's quiet......no more texts......no tweets......no vague shizzle......no cat pictures......no motivational kick in the ass......
“And me? I am sad but happy at the same time. Sad to miss it, but there is so much understanding that the sadness doesn't bother me. Happy because her greatest wish could come true in the way she hoped and wished. That she could go to sleep forever.”
And the announcement of her death echoed this ‘final wish’ to go as it read: “Zoraya passed away today at 1.25 pm. Or as she saw it herself: she went to sleep.
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“Her last wish/request is to leave her loved ones alone and, if possible, to swallow disrespectful reactions. She understood that euthanasia for psychological suffering is still a ‘thing’ for some people.”
ter Beek previously explained the process around requesting the right to assisted dying: “I understand the fears that some disabled people have about assisted dying, and worries about people being under pressure to die. But in the Netherlands, we’ve had this law for more than 20 years.
"There are really strict rules, and it’s really safe. It’s a long and complicated process.
"It’s not like you ask for assisted dying on a Monday and you’re dead by Friday. I was on a waiting list for assessment for a long time, because there are so few doctors willing to be involved in assisted dying for people with mental suffering.
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"Then you have to be assessed by a team, have a second opinion about your eligibility, and their decision has to be reviewed by another independent doctor."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.
Topics: Mental Health, Health, World News
Jess Battison