Psychiatrists concerned about ‘promotion of euthanasia in cases of mental suffering’

This spring, fifteen psychiatrists and doctors sent an urgent letter to the Public Prosecution Service about the consequences of what they saw as ‘an intrusive public campaign’.

The letter writers, including (pediatric) doctors and well-known psychiatrists Damiaan Denys and Jim van Os, turn against other well-known psychiatrists. According to them, they are ‘propagating’ increasingly loudly that ‘euthanasia should be made more easily available as a treatment option’. They do this in media appearances and at foundations.

Fear of ‘claiming euthanasia’

For example, the knowledge centre Stichting KEA, which was founded at the end of last year, wants to ‘increase the possibility of euthanasia for mental disorders’. The signatories of the urgent letter are strongly opposed to this. They fear that this ‘will encourage patients and their loved ones to demand euthanasia’.

As an example, they mention a case of a 17-year-old patient who has been widely reported in the media. She was treated for years for trauma and depression – but this had no effect. In the end, her request for euthanasia was granted.

Euthanasia and the law

Ending someone’s life is punishable. In special cases, doctors may help a patient die by means of euthanasia or assisted suicide. In euthanasia, a doctor administers a lethal drug to the patient. This is preceded by an extensive procedure.

Euthanasia is only permitted by law for people suffering from a medical cause, such as cancer or cardiovascular disease, but also from a psychiatric disorder or dementia.