ZORAYA’S AGONY
Physically healthy woman, 29, dies by euthanasia after suffering depression
Zoraya's friends left her touching tributes after her death
A PHYSICALLY healthy woman who spent over a decade battling with crippling depression has died of euthanasia just weeks after her 29th birthday.
Zoraya ter Beek made the decision to end her life after reportedly being told by doctors her mental health would "never get better".
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The Dutch woman passed away on May 22, at around 1:25pm local time.
Her life ended in the Dutch city of Oldenzaal with the help of the Euthanasia Expertise Center, her close friend announced yesterday.
Her death came just 22 days after she celebrated her birthday.
Euthanasia has been legal in The Netherlands since 2002 - but remains illegal in the UK.
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Under Dutch law, a patient qualifies for an assisted death after they have exhausted all reasonable treatments and can prove they have "unbearable suffering without prospect of improvement".
The facts explained about assisted dying and euthanasia
She has left behind her loving 40-year-old boyfriend who was thought to be by her side when she passed away with their two cats.
Zoraya, from Twente, once aspired to become a psychiatrist but couldn't finish her studies.
Zoraya lost hope for recovery after her psychiatrist told her "there's nothing more" they could do to treat her pain.
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"It's never gonna get any better," she claims her doctor told her.
What is euthanasia and why is it controversial?
EUTHANASIA, sometimes known as mercy killing, is the practice of intentionally ending someone's life to relieve their pain and suffering.
The term comes from an ancient Greek phrase meaning "good death".
Euthanasia is deliberately helping or encouraging someone to take their own life, for example by providing them with medicine to do so.
Euthanasia is a crime under English law, carrying a maximum penalty of life in jail, and assisted suicide 14 years.
The only exception is "passive euthanasia", which is where treatment that might extend someone's life is withdrawn - such as a life machine being turned off.
For terminally ill patients in the UK, the only alternatives are hospice care or refusing treatment, which mentally capable patients have the right to do.
As a result, some terminally ill people decide to travel abroad to die.
Euthanasia and dying is a controversial issue - with passionate campaigners on each side of the argument.
People who agree with euthanasia often argue that people should be allowed to die with dignity - and they should be able to decide when and how they die, and potentially save their loved ones the pain of seeing them suffer.
Some also believe death is private, and it's not the state's place to interfere if a person wants to die.
Those in favour of euthanasia also point out that we euthanise our pets as an act of kindness - and resources could be put towards people who want to live, or whose conditions are curable.
However, there are concerns that allowing euthanasia would give doctors too much power, and might even worsen care for the terminally ill and research into their illnesses.
Some also believe it goes against the job description of doctors and nurses and the oath they take to not harm patients - they also say it undermines the value of human life.
Others also worry about the possibility of someone potentially recovering, or changing their mind when it's already too late.
Some have even suggested it could lead to people feeling pressured into asking to die, as they don't want to be a burden upon those around them
In 2017, out of 6,585 deaths from euthanasia in the Netherlands, 84 were on the grounds of psychiatric suffering.
But the approval procedure for psychiatric petitions can take years and only approximately 10 per cent of applications are granted.
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- HUMEN
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans,, 116 123
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