In a heartbreaking decision, a 29-year-old Dutch woman, Zoraya ter Beek, achieved her tragic wish of dying through assisted suicide. After enduring three years of waiting for final approval, ter Beek's life was terminated last week under the Netherlands' legal provisions for euthanasia. This option is available if a patient is deemed to be experiencing "unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement."

Ter Beek's journey began when she was diagnosed with autism at the age of 21. By 22, she wore a "Do Not Resuscitate" tag, indicating her desire to avoid resuscitation. She had desired to end her life since childhood due to feeling like an outsider and enduring bullying throughout her upbringing.

While physically healthy, ter Beek battled mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, and an unspecified personality disorder. To cope with bullies, she adopted a goth appearance, as the dark aesthetic reflected the turmoil she felt internally.

Living with her boyfriend, Stein, a 39-year-old IT programmer, ter Beek faced disapproval from her parents regarding their significant age difference. She had been estranged from her mother and three older sisters for six years, and her father passed away from cancer the previous year.

Concerned for ter Beek's well-being, Stein encouraged her to seek treatment. She underwent various therapies, including electroconvulsive therapy, but in August 2020, her psychiatrist declared that there was no further improvement possible. This revelation solidified her decision to apply for euthanasia in December 2020 through the Netherlands' Euthanasia Expertise Center.

Ter Beek saw herself as a supporter of the Dutch euthanasia program and believed in its strict protocols to prevent abuse. She opposed the availability of "suicide kits" and did not support updating the law to allow assisted suicide without medical intervention or state approval, emphasizing the importance of protecting those who may not be in the right mindset to make such a decision.

The Free Press reported an alarming rise in suicides related to mental illness, with only two recorded cases in 2010 compared to 138 in 2023 involving psychiatric suffering.

Though ter Beek had obtained a suicide kit from Exit International as a backup plan, she did not have to resort to it. Friends announced her passing on May 22, stating that she "went to sleep" at 1:25 p.m., as per her perspective.

Ter Beek's story highlights the complexities surrounding assisted suicide and the urgent need for support and resources for individuals struggling with mental illness. As debates on these issues continue, society must strive to balance compassion, protection, and awareness for vulnerable individuals.