Dutch Euthanasia Law Under Scrutiny Amid Surge in Mental Health Cases

[Social Media]

 

The Netherlands is re-evaluating its euthanasia laws following a significant rise in cases involving young people with psychological suffering. Last year, nearly 10,000 people in the country chose to end their lives through euthanasia, with a sharp 60% increase in cases linked to mental health conditions. This growing trend has sparked debate over whether the system is functioning as intended, particularly for younger individuals facing psychiatric distress.

 

 

Euthanasia in the Netherlands, legal since 2001, accounted for 5.8% of all deaths in 2024, with a total of 9,958 cases. Concerns have mounted over the rising number of young people seeking euthanasia due to mental health struggles, sometimes to prevent them from resorting to suicide on their own. “Are we still doing this right?” questioned Jeroen Recourt, president of RTE, the regional oversight committee responsible for reviewing euthanasia cases. “I welcome social debate on euthanasia due to mental suffering in young people.”

 

 

Typically, euthanasia is performed on elderly or severely ill patients who voluntarily request it after proving they are experiencing unbearable suffering with no hope of recovery. A doctor administers a lethal injection after careful assessment. However, an increasing number of younger individuals, particularly those suffering from depression and other psychiatric conditions, are seeking euthanasia. In 2024, there were 219 cases of euthanasia granted for psychological suffering, a substantial rise from 138 in 2023 and just 88 in 2020. Of those cases, 30 individuals were under 30 years old when they died, compared to only five in 2020.

 

 

One case that drew particular attention involved a teenager between the ages of 16 and 18 who had autism, anxiety, and depression. The committee overseeing the case reported, “The young man described his life as ‘luckless.’ He felt very lonely, was deeply unhappy, and did not enjoy anything. He could not connect with peers and society and felt misunderstood.” The report also noted that the teenager had previously attempted suicide. His parents were consulted in the process, and although his relatives and caregivers tried to dissuade him, they were unsuccessful.

 

“The doctor was convinced that the young man’s suffering was hopeless. He did not expect current and any future treatments would improve the quality of life. The young man’s death wish was expected to continue, with a high probability that he would make another suicide attempt if his euthanasia wish was not honoured.”

 

While the oversight committees only referred six cases for breaching euthanasia rules last year—mostly due to issues with the procedure itself, such as delays between the administration of sedatives and the lethal drug—some cases have raised ethical concerns. One involved an elderly woman suffering from a mental disorder that caused her to see faeces everywhere, leading to obsessive cleaning. She was euthanised without an independent psychiatric assessment. Another woman with Parkinson’s disease may have felt pressured into going through with the procedure, raising questions about whether she had the freedom to change her mind.

 

Despite concerns over whether euthanasia laws are too lenient, some argue that the regulations remain too restrictive. Fransien van ter Beek, chairwoman of the Dutch Association for a Voluntary End of Life (NVVE), believes that too many people still struggle to access euthanasia despite their suffering. “We see that people with a euthanasia request still end up in a maze too often,” she said. “Fortunately, more and more people are eventually able to find their way out.”

 

As debate intensifies over the ethical and legal aspects of euthanasia for psychiatric patients, the Netherlands faces a complex challenge: balancing compassion for those in unbearable distress with the need to ensure that vulnerable individuals receive the care and protection they need.

 

Based on a report by The Times  2025-03-26

 

 

[stevenl]

In real life, there eas a debate in parliament about when shooting wolves is allowed.

 

Article is pulled from thin air.

[newbee2022]

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

The Netherlands is re-evaluating its euthanasia laws following a significant rise in cases involving young people with psychological suffering. Last year, nearly 10,000 people in the country chose to end their lives through euthanasia, with a sharp 60% increase in cases linked to mental health conditions. This growing trend has sparked debate over whether the system is functioning as intended, particularly for younger individuals facing psychiatric distress.

 

 

Euthanasia in the Netherlands, legal since 2001, accounted for 5.8% of all deaths in 2024, with a total of 9,958 cases. Concerns have mounted over the rising number of young people seeking euthanasia due to mental health struggles, sometimes to prevent them from resorting to suicide on their own. “Are we still doing this right?” questioned Jeroen Recourt, president of RTE, the regional oversight committee responsible for reviewing euthanasia cases. “I welcome social debate on euthanasia due to mental suffering in young people.”

 

 

Typically, euthanasia is performed on elderly or severely ill patients who voluntarily request it after proving they are experiencing unbearable suffering with no hope of recovery. A doctor administers a lethal injection after careful assessment. However, an increasing number of younger individuals, particularly those suffering from depression and other psychiatric conditions, are seeking euthanasia. In 2024, there were 219 cases of euthanasia granted for psychological suffering, a substantial rise from 138 in 2023 and just 88 in 2020. Of those cases, 30 individuals were under 30 years old when they died, compared to only five in 2020.

 

 

One case that drew particular attention involved a teenager between the ages of 16 and 18 who had autism, anxiety, and depression. The committee overseeing the case reported, “The young man described his life as ‘luckless.’ He felt very lonely, was deeply unhappy, and did not enjoy anything. He could not connect with peers and society and felt misunderstood.” The report also noted that the teenager had previously attempted suicide. His parents were consulted in the process, and although his relatives and caregivers tried to dissuade him, they were unsuccessful.

 

“The doctor was convinced that the young man’s suffering was hopeless. He did not expect current and any future treatments would improve the quality of life. The young man’s death wish was expected to continue, with a high probability that he would make another suicide attempt if his euthanasia wish was not honoured.”

 

While the oversight committees only referred six cases for breaching euthanasia rules last year—mostly due to issues with the procedure itself, such as delays between the administration of sedatives and the lethal drug—some cases have raised ethical concerns. One involved an elderly woman suffering from a mental disorder that caused her to see faeces everywhere, leading to obsessive cleaning. She was euthanised without an independent psychiatric assessment. Another woman with Parkinson’s disease may have felt pressured into going through with the procedure, raising questions about whether she had the freedom to change her mind.

 

Despite concerns over whether euthanasia laws are too lenient, some argue that the regulations remain too restrictive. Fransien van ter Beek, chairwoman of the Dutch Association for a Voluntary End of Life (NVVE), believes that too many people still struggle to access euthanasia despite their suffering. “We see that people with a euthanasia request still end up in a maze too often,” she said. “Fortunately, more and more people are eventually able to find their way out.”

 

As debate intensifies over the ethical and legal aspects of euthanasia for psychiatric patients, the Netherlands faces a complex challenge: balancing compassion for those in unbearable distress with the need to ensure that vulnerable individuals receive the care and protection they need.

 

Based on a report by The Times  2025-03-26

 

 

I think the law in Netherlands works fine though some cases leaves us speechless and sad.

[digger70]

Dutch Euthanasia Law Under Scrutiny Amid Surge in Mental Health Cases.

 

Why try to prolong someones life if  they don't want to live .

There's a reason that one want's to end life.

Obviously it's the persons choice to make that decision to end a miserable life. 

If they change the law people will find a way to end their life.

I Knew that my dad  in the Netherlands was going to do it ,he said that he didn't  want to be a burden to my mother. 😇

[Peterphuket]

The number of 219 is negligible out of a population of 18 million.

[BusyB]

When I wanna go I wanna decide when and how and with who (if they want). As long as it's properly regulated it's only humane. 

 

The fact that any system is prone to occasional error is not an argument against assisted suicide. (Is euthanasia the right term? Strictly speaking such patients aren't 'put to death'. They are - often directly - assisted in suicide.) The main thing is that such instances remain exceptions and that the hundreds of others who desperately need this final act of mercy have it available and are protected from abuse. 

[xtrnuno41]

It is a bs thing. 

Some years ago there was a case.

Person wanted to die, doctor followed the rules and person died.

Doctor helping on euthanasie.

After death, investigation and some comity, judged doc had made mistake !!

The doc , thinking he had all done right, got so depressed and in the end of the proces, the doc committed suicide himself.

 

In and in sad. His wife fought on for honor in court and guess what:

They won the courtcase, but sadly a good man, doctor wasnt anymore around to celebrate. Well celebrate? Some dumbs accuse you of murder and want to break you down, after all those year of studying and doing your doc job!

Thank you Dutch government with your stupid rules and false investigations.

How many docs , you want to loose more?

No doc ever wants to act on requests anymore. 

They want you to be talked to death by lots of shrinks telling you:

Ah please dont . It will be all right

 

Technically, all people in military service have a mental issue ?

They all want to get killed, right ? But no then it is ok.

Then they say "well done buddy, thank you for your life".

Join the army, see some killing in the world and wait for your end.