Milou Verhoof chose to end her life by euthanasia, which is legal in the Netherlands, aged just 17 — but her case has sparked a heated political debate this week

A psychiatrist told a teenager “Girl, have a good trip,” as he administered a lethal injection in front of her parents.

Milou Verhoof, from the Netherlands, chose to end her life by euthanasia aged just 17. She contacted renowned Dr Menno Oosterhoff who has assisted many young patients with their mental health problems over the years, which includes terminating their lives.

Milou's mum, Mireille Verhoof, even praised the controversial medic for carrying out the request on her daughter, in October 2023, insisting that it was the right thing to do for her and her family.

Speaking at Milou’s funeral Dr Oosterhoff said: “You've been through so much.” The youngster wanted to die on psychological grounds due to events earlier in her childhood.

At just 11 years old, tragedy almost struck when her brother was hit by a near-fatal illness. Then, two years later when she was 13, she plunged into a depression and lingering post-traumatic stress after being raped.

Milou also began violently self-harming and even tried two failed suicide attempts. As her struggles deepened, she contacted a psychiatrist to help her die by euthanasia. However, the doctor delayed her decision to end her life. It was then that she found Dr Oosterhoff, who was able to carry out her wish.

On the day she died, the psychiatrist administered the fatal injection in the very room where she had grown up. In a heartbreaking final detail, she had carefully prepared for the moment, which included having her nails done and choosing an evening gown and high heels for her burial.

Mum Mireille later said: “Because of Dr. Oosterhoff's extremely careful and cautious approach, we as parents trusted that his conclusion-that Milou truly could not go on and that the days were unlivable for her-was the only correct one and confirmed what we as parents had long seen in our child.”

A documentary called ‘Milou's Battle Continues’ followed her journey and the heated political debate that ensued following her death. As a result, campaign groups attempted to use her case to end the provision of euthanasia for young people.

Euthanasia is legal in the Netherlands.In 2002, Dutch legislators authorized physicians to perform medically assisted suicide for patients who make “voluntary and well considered" requests to stop “unbearable” suffering, when there is no “prospect of improvement” and no “reasonable alternative” to dying.

The vast majority of such deaths continue to be associated with terminal physical illnesses, accounting for around 86% of the 9,958 cases recorded in 2024. However, there has been a significant rise in euthanasia cases based purely on psychological suffering, climbing from 88 in 2020 to 219 in 2024.

In Dr Oosterhoff's situation, the majority of cases don't involve patients with physical disabilities. Instead, their “mentally terminal” condition has qualified some for assisted suicide, a choice the psychiatrist contends stops extended anguish and reduces the likelihood of unassisted suicide.

Advocates of Oosterhoff's work regard him as a lifesaver, as he has emerged as the public face of psychiatric euthanasia throughout the Netherlands.

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