Watchdog urges ‘great caution’ with psychiatric illnesses after deaths in such cases rise to 219 from two in 2010The number of people in the Netherlands who died by euthanasia increased by 10% last year, figures have shown, as the official watchdog warned doctors to exercise “great caution” in cases where person has a psychiatric illness.The Netherlands, which has one of the world’s oldest and broadest euthanasia laws, allows doctors to end a person’s life if they are “suffering unbearably, with no prospect of improvement”. They must be diagnosed with a medical condition, but this can include a mental illness or dementia.In the UK, the charity Mind is available on 0300 123 3393 and Childline on 0800 1111. In the UK and Ireland, you can call Samaritans on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, call or text Mental Health America at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14...
In the Netherlands, euthanasia deaths increased by 10% from 9,068 in 2023 to 9,958 in 2024. The official watchdog urged doctors to exercise "great caution" with psychiatric illnesses, as these cases rose from two in 2010 to 219 in 2024. Six euthanasia deaths in 2024 were judged to have lacked due care. The Dutch right-to-die society stated the overall figures matched demand and showed euthanasia is increasingly accepted.
