MAID, or Medical Assistance in Dying, is becoming a more common practice in some western societies. When you examine the changes in the practices in the last ten years, you may be surprised to see how it has developed. Today, we’ll look at one specific case to open our conversation about what is happening.
I recently read about a relatively young lady in the Netherlands, 29, who scheduled her death for early May of last year. The plan was for a doctor to administer lethal intervention to euthanize her, removing her from this existence. There are a growing number of cases like hers, especially in Canada and a select number of European countries. What started out as a right to die for the aging and terminally ill has developed into a choice available for a much wider segment of the population.
This young lady, Zoraya, was not terminally ill. Her condition was a combination of struggles with mental illness and what might be called malaise. Life hadn’t turned out the way she planned and at 29, she’d decided she didn’t have it in her to try and turn it around and make another effort at finding meaning.
She had a boyfriend; she lived in a nice house, and two cats to take care of, but that wasn’t enough. Zoraya hoped for a successful career, but she never finished school and struggled with depression and autism. This all came to a head when another conversation with her psychiatrist led him to proclaim to her, “there’s nothing more we can do for you. It’s never gonna get any better.”
When even the person being paid to help with her mental health presented such a fatalistic perspective, Zoraya had heard enough. She was ready to pursue the path a growing number of young adults are pursuing, ending it all with the help of the medical establishment.
In the Netherlands, as in Canada and five other countries, this option is being presented more commonly by medical professionals proactively. A healthcare ethicist notes that in the beginning, it was only offered up if the patient sought it out, but it is not uncommon now for a physician or psychiatrist to be the first to recommend euthanasia as a possible solution.
The biggest change is with people like Zoraya, young people with significant mental health issues. When a young person is looking ahead at possibly 40 or 50 years of life with no solution to their persistent feelings of depression or nihilism, death and self-destruction can seem attractive.
This is a complete reversal of the psychological principles on which I was trained thirty years ago, as well as a violation of the Hippocratic oath. “First, do no harm” would seem to imply that you would never tell a patient there is no hope. The medical journals are filled with cases where those with even the most severe mental illness were able to overcome it through treatment and life changes. We are all inspired by heroic stories like these, which usually involve a strong supportive community and often contain elements of faith and purpose.
Societal bonds are weaker now. It is much more common to find people who are isolated without strong friendships and family connections. If the only person speaking into the life of someone who is hurting is a medical professional who sees euthanasia as the best option, it can be a relatively quick and easy decision.
A medical professional who served on the review board in the Netherlands from 2005 to 2014 said, “In those years, I saw the Dutch euthanasia practice evolve from death being a last resort, to death being a default option.” He ultimately resigned in protest. Some medical professionals fear this is becoming a societal contagion. Hopeless individuals hear about others who ended their lives this way and it can seem like a normal solution.
Despair over climate change and other societal issues is seen as a contributing factor. When you believe that the world is doomed, it is a short journey towards wanting to leave it as quickly as possible.
The truth is that there is still meaning and purpose in the world. Family, friendships, service and helping others through acts of kindness and consideration are all things that give people deep satisfaction. These are the kinds of things our children and youth need to be encouraged towards. They are much more fulfilling than likes on social media or material wealth. If I was counseling a young lady like Zoraya, this is the message I would give her.
Unfortunately, she ended her life on May 22nd of last year, never finding the hope she needed to carry on. Instead her doctor and the few people close to her affirmed ending her life at 29. This is a tragedy. All life has value and meaning. We should find our hope in something greater than ourselves. As followers of God, we know this and attempt to live it out. We should spread this hope and joy to all we know. Don’t let the Zorayas in your life think so little of their place in this world. Here are a few reminders from Scripture of who God says you are:
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Psalm 139:13-16
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29-31
Seeing God 