Attention to humane death is still necessary, says BNNVARA documentary maker Elena Lindemans, who grew up in Jubbega. Twenty-two years after her mother jumped from the Muntflat in Heerenveen, help for people with unbearable mental suffering can still be improved. She made the documentary series ‘A good death’ about it. The first part was shown on NPO2 on Monday evening, the other three parts will follow in the next three weeks.
There are still people who end their own lives while suffering unbearably and without hope. There are no official figures, but there are undoubtedly people who jump from flats such as the Muntflat in Heerenveen, or onto the train tracks because they do not receive the much-desired humane euthanasia from their psychiatrist, general practitioner or institutional doctor.
They don’t want to jump off an apartment, but want to end their lives in a humane way
“They don’t want to jump off an apartment at all, but they just want to get out of life because it is unbearable for them,” says Lindemans, who grew up in Jubbega from birth until she was nineteen. More than ten years after her controversial documentary ‘Mothers don’t jump from flats’ – which led to a hearing in the House of Representatives – she has now released a sequel. ‘A good death’ is the literal meaning of the ancient Greek word euthanasia.
Lindemans – who has now been employed by BNNVARA for 25 years – and her camera crew followed six people who wanted euthanasia due to mental suffering. She has depicted the raw reality as lovingly and humanly as possible.
Six people followed for the docuseries ‘A good death’
“I followed six people from 26 to 96 years old in their last months, weeks, days and even hours. All my main characters have now died, of which only three ultimately received euthanasia.”
Since 2001, it has been legally possible in the Netherlands to obtain euthanasia for serious and unbearable physical suffering and for unbearable mental suffering. Lindemans thinks – and hears from others – that medical professionals have difficulty acting as actively in the case of psychological suffering as they do in the case of physical suffering. “If you suffer mentally, it is difficult to prove that you are suffering unbearably.”
‘When does a doctor decide that enough is enough?’
Such as the 26-year-old woman Marte from Groningen whom she follows in the series. She has suffered damage to her brain due to well-intentioned shock therapies – about forty times in total. “When does a doctor decide that enough is really enough and that she can end her life humanely? There is still room for improvement,” says Lindemans.
Moreover, it is also psychologically beneficial for firefighters, police and ambulance personnel if they no longer have to clean up human remains next to an apartment or along the track. Every suicide like that is one too many. It is a sign that regular care has not been able to provide humane euthanasia or another solution to his or her psychological distress. Psychiatrists also want nothing more than to help their patients and get rid of their death wish.
Being able to simply walk away from life after a few weeks or months of psychological distress is not Lindeman’s intention. People must have demonstrably received help for a longer period before the euthanasia decision is made. The series sounds heavy, but according to her it has become a beautiful human viewing gem.
For people with suicidal thoughts and their loved ones, it is possible to call the prevention line completely anonymously via 0800-113, or chat via the website 113.nl.
Tags: Elena Lindemans Jubbega care people unbearable psychological suffering docuseries good death
