Psychiatrist apologises to parents over euthanasia letter

A psychiatrist who co-signed a letter calling for an investigation into the parents of a 17-year-old who died by euthanasia in 2023 has said he apologised to them in 2024, telling the TV programme Zomergasten the letter must have been “incredibly painful” for them to read.

Psychiatrist Jim van Os was one of 14 prominent doctors who signed a letter urging the public prosecution office to take action in the case of Milou, a teen suffering from depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

“For the parents, it can be incredibly painful to read something like this, and I have also apologized for that,” van Os said on Sunday.

The letter asked prosecutors to investigate the extent to which Milou’s parents and treating physicians had influenced her choice for voluntary euthanasia.

The psychiatrists had never spoken to the girl or her parents and doctors. The federation of doctors KNMG has called the letter “indecent and unacceptable”.

Milou had suffered from mental health problems from the age of 11 following sexual abuse. She was again sexually abused in an institution by another patient.

After years of treatment and various suicide attempts, she chose euthanasia at the age of 17 on the grounds of unbearable mental suffering.

The psychiatrist who approved her decision acted in accordance with the guidelines, the regional euthanasia review committee RTE found.

The committee reviews all euthanasia procedures to make sure the correct procedures have been followed and reports back to the prosecution service.

The girl’s parents have sued the Public Prosecution Service to disclose the names of all doctors behind the controversial letter. A court in The Hague will give its verdict on Thursday.