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Averted euthanasia case a “beacon of hope” says Sydney researcher

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UNDA’s Professor David Kissane. PHOTO: Supplied

The story of a young Dutch woman who changed her decision to be euthanised moments before a lethal injection is a “beacon of hope” affirming the proper treatment of factors which can lead to suicidal thoughts, says Sydney psychiatrist and palliative care researcher Dr David Kissane. 

Several media outlets reported on 13 November that the 22-year-old woman identified as Romy had begun advocating for her right to die upon turning 18, having suffered clinical depression and eating disorders as a result of childhood abuse. 

But in June 2023 she called off the procedure at the last moment, when asked by the administrating doctor, “Are you sure?” 

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The reports, based on an article published by Dutch news outlet NRC, said she subsequently applied once again for euthanasia, but with trauma therapy and “consistent work” she has found purpose in life. 

Now living in communal assisted living in Rotterdam, Romy is studying for a diploma in adult education and said, “Because I’ve been so close to death, I see life as something valuable. It won’t always go well, but I now know there is light at the end of the tunnel.” 

Dr Kissane, the chair of Palliative Care Research at the University of Notre Dame Australia, said euthanasia for people with mental illness is administered in the Netherlands and Belgium through pro-euthanasia clinics who employ activists promoting liberalisation of euthanasia laws. 

Ingrid Kuebler and Prof David Kissane, Chair of Palliative Medicine Research at UNDA, look at photos of Ingrid’s mother, Elizabeth, below and at right. Ingrid said that psychological counselling and pastoral support for herself helped her to care for her mother. PHOTO: Peter Casamento

“Sadly, the number of young patients with autism, anorexia nervosa, depression, loneliness, schizophrenia and personality disorder has grown year by year,” he said. 

“Against this pattern, the story of Romy is a beacon of hope that seldom reaches publicity, yet poignantly displays the alternative outcome that affirms life when the right model of care is provided. 

“When patients campaign for euthanasia, they can develop a sense of courage about what they are doing, which can buoy them along for a time.  

“Yet there is a fundamental ambivalence about losing your life, and the good news for Romy is that she listened to this and stopped in time.” 

Dr Kissane will explain his ground-breaking research on demoralisation, which he discovered is a major contributor leading to a desire to die, when he delivers the 2024 annual Plunkett Lecture in Sydney on Wednesday 20 November. 

Associated with feelings of hopelessness, pointlessness, and isolation, demoralisation affects between one quarter to a third of patients with serious illness and can lead to a wish to want to give up prematurely on life. 

“We did studies showing that demoralisation was a more powerful mediator of suicide than depression, in fact about three times more powerful, and in 2022, a systematic review confirmed this reality across 18 studies,” Dr Kissane said. 

In the free lecture Dr Kissane will demonstrate how demoralisation can be clinically diagnosed and treated. 

Prof David Kissane. PHOTO: Supplied

Plunkett Centre for Ethics director, Associate Professor Xavier Symons, said Dr Kissane’s research provides “much-needed” and rigorous scientific context to address end-of-life care as voluntary assisted dying becomes more widely accessible across Australia. 

“His data not only shows a correlation between people who believe there is no point to continue living and the desire to die, but presents enormous opportunities for improving patient care in palliative care settings,” he said. 

The annual lecture invites world leaders to address the state of Australian healthcare ethics and is hosted by the Plunkett Centre for Ethics—a joint initiative of Australian Catholic University, St Vincent’s Public Hospital Sydney, St Vincent’s Private Hospital Sydney, the Mater Hospital Sydney, Calvary Healthcare Limited, Mercy Hospital in Melbourne and Cabrini Hospital in Melbourne. 

It will be held from 5.15pm in the Function Room, L4 St Vincent’s Clinic 390 Victoria Street Darlinghurst. 

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