Critics raise profound concerns. Many psychiatrists warn that hopelessness is itself a defining symptom of severe depression, complicating any claim of fully autonomous consent. Others fear a cultural shift in which death becomes framed as an acceptable solution to psychological distress, rather than a failure of care systems to provide adequate support, innovation, and long-term treatment.
Ter Beek herself rejects the framing of despair. She has described her choice as an act of release, not surrender — a way to reclaim agency after years of being defined by illness. She has spoken openly about fear, but also about a sense of calm that comes from certainty. She plans to die at home and has chosen cremation, saying she wants to reduce emotional and logistical burden on her partner. Continue reading…
