Woman, 23, who survived the ISIS bombing but could not live with the trauma was euthanized in a Belgian clinic
A WOMAN who survived the terrorist attack at Brussels airport has died after choosing to be put to sleep after suffering from major depression and PTSD following the incident.
Shanti De Corte, 23, was with her classmates in the departure hall of Belgium’s Zaventem airport on March 22, 2016 when Islamic State terrorists detonated a bomb.
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Shanti, who was 17 at the time, escaped the blast, which along with two other blasts killed 32 people and injured more than 300 others.
The then-teenager sustained no physical injuries in the blasts.
But the psychological consequences meant that she suffered from constant panic attacks and periods of depression from which she could not free herself.
Shanti underwent rehabilitation treatment at a psychiatric hospital in her hometown of Antwerp and took a range of antidepressants to help her.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t shake her dark thoughts and attempted suicide twice, in 2018 and 2020.
The troubled woman then opted for euthanasia earlier this year – a procedure legal in Belgium – and died on May 7, 2022 after two psychiatrists approved her request.
Shanti’s story was highlighted earlier this week when her mother Marielle revealed her daughter’s pain on Belgian broadcaster VRT.
Marielle said: “That day really cracked her, she never felt safe after that.
“She didn’t want to go anywhere other people were out of fear.
“She also had frequent panic attacks and never got rid of them.”
Shanti often took to social media to describe her experience after the bombing and spoke of her struggle with her deteriorating mental health.
She said in one post: “I get some meds for breakfast. And up to 11 antidepressants a day. I couldn’t live without her.
“With all the medication I’m on, I feel like a ghost that can’t feel anything anymore. Maybe there were solutions other than drugs.”
According to Shanti’s school psychologist, she suffered from major depression before deciding to end her life.
She told RTBF: “There are some students who react worse than others to traumatic events.
“And after interviewing her twice, I can tell you that Shanti De Corte was one of those fragile students.”
The psychologist referred Shanti to a psychiatric clinic in Antwerp, where she received regular treatment.
However, Shanti attempted suicide in 2018 after her mental health deteriorated following an altercation with another patient who sexually assaulted her.
Two years later, she made another unsuccessful attempt at suicide and contacted an organization that defends the right to a “dignified death.”
RTBF reported she asked the organization to perform euthanasia because of “unbearable psychiatric suffering.”
In Belgium, euthanasia – defined as the practice of intentionally ending a person’s life in order to relieve pain and suffering – is legal for a person who is “in a medically hopeless state of persistent and intolerable physical or mental suffering which is not being relieved may become as a result of a serious and incurable disorder by illness or accident”.
According to RTBF, Shanti’s request for euthanasia was approved by two psychiatrists earlier this year.
The report said: “The woman was euthanized on May 7, 2022, surrounded by her family.”
Shanti wrote on social media on the day of her euthanasia: “I laughed and cried. Until the last day. I loved and was allowed to feel what true love is.
“Now I will go in peace. Know that I already miss you.”
This may not be the end of the tragic story, however, as prosecutors in Antwerp have opened an investigation after a neurologist at the UZC Brugman academic clinical hospital in Brussels filed complaints claiming the decision to put Shanti to sleep was “premature.” been”.
Although the Federal Commission for the Control and Evaluation of Euthanasia in Belgium had no concerns about the case, neurologist Paul Deltenre said that according to the RTBF, Shanti still had various care and treatment modalities available that have not been tried.
You’re not alone
A life is lost to suicide in the UK EVERY 90 minutes.
It does not discriminate and touches the lives of people in all sectors of society – from the homeless and unemployed to construction workers and doctors, to reality stars and footballers.
It is the leading cause of death for people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car accidents.
And men are three times more likely to commit suicide than women.
Yet it’s rarely talked about, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage if we don’t all stop now and take notice.
That’s why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The goal is that we can all do our part to save lives by providing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health.
Let’s all pledge to ask for help when we need it and to listen to others… You are not alone.
If you or someone you know needs help coping with mental health issues, the following organizations offer support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
- Movember, www.uk.movember.com
- Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-8pm
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https://www.the-sun.com/news/6393333/woman-survived-isis-bomb-attack-euthanised-belgium/ Woman, 23, who survived the ISIS bombing but could not live with the trauma was euthanized in a Belgian clinic