Euthanasia cases for mental illness, particularly among young adults, have increased significantly in the Netherlands. The country’s euthanasia review committee has expressed concerns about the trend. According to recent data, euthanasia deaths now make up 5% of all deaths in the nation, with a 60% increase in deaths for psychiatric reasons.
Research published in the Psychiatric Times revealed that psychiatrists’ “professional restraint” for psychiatric euthanasia had begun to disappear in recent years. The number of euthanasia cases for individuals under 30 rose from 5 to 30 between 2020 and 2024, representing a 6-fold increase. The estimated number of youthful applicants who received euthanasia is around 3%.
The Dutch model, once considered careful and balanced, is now attracting attention for growing uncertainty about its justification. The pro-life movement warns that euthanasia promotes death and can lead to a slippery slope. Critics argue that psychiatry has crossed a boundary it cannot coherently justify.
As the trend continues, concerns are raised about the potential consequences on young lives.
Source: https://www.liveaction.org/news/psychiatrists-euthanasia-young-adults-mental-illness-netherlands