One woman, who suffered severe depression after the terrorist attacks at Brussels’ airport, has decided to end her life.
Shanti De Corte was 23 years old and walking through Zaventem airport’s departures lounge with classmates from her school, when Islamic State terrorists set off a bomb.
The explosion that killed 32 people and injures more than 300 others left the teenager, then 17, uninjured.
The psychological side effects left her with constant panic attacks, depression and periods of deep despair. She never recovered.
Shanti tried to commit suicide two times in 2018 and 2020 despite being admitted to Antwerp’s mental hospital for rehab.
The young, troubled woman requested to be killed earlier this year. This is legal in Belgium. She died May 7, 2022, after her request was approved by two psychiatrists.
Marielle brought Shanti’s terrible story to the attention of Marielle earlier this week. VRT in Belgium was informed of the pain felt by her daughter.
Marielle stated that Marielle was shocked by the day and never felt at ease again.
“She was afraid of being alone and didn’t like to travel with other people. It was also frequent that she suffered from panic attacks, which she could not get rid of.
Shanti de Corte (23 years old) never fully recovered from her psychological trauma following the terror attack in Belgium on March 22, 2016.
Shanti De Corte (left), is seen with a friend. This image was posted to a memorial page.
Shanti’s story of pain was revealed by her mother Marielle (pictured).
Shanti often recalled the events of the bombing via social media, and talked about her struggle with declining mental health.
One of her posts stated that she takes a number of antidepressants for breakfast. There are up to 11 different antidepressants each day. I can’t imagine my life without it.
“With all of the drugs I take, it’s like I can’t feel anything.” Perhaps there are other options than medication.
According to her school psychologist, the 23-year old had suffered from depression for some time before she decided to end her own life.
RTBF asked her: “There are students who react more strongly to trauma than others.” After interviewing her twice, it is clear that Shanti de Corte was among those students.
Shanti was referred by the psychologist to Antwerp’s psychiatric Hospital, where she continued her treatment.
She attempted suicide in 2018 after experiencing a severe mental decline following an altercation she had with a patient who had sexually assaulted another.
She attempted suicide again in 2020, but was unsuccessful. After that she sought out an organization that supports the right to “death with dignity”.
According to RTBF, she wanted them to end their ‘unbearable psychiatric suffer’.
Shanti posted a touching, but tragically sad post to social media: “I was laughing and crying. It was the best day of my life. True love was something I felt and loved. You are my peace. Please know that I already miss you.
Following the terrorist attack at Brussels’ Zaventem Bruxelles International Airport on March 22, 2016, a plume smoke rises from Brussels Airport.
The practice of euthanasia is defined as the intentional ending of a person’s life in order to alleviate pain or suffering. It is legal in Belgium for individuals who are in “a medically futile state of continuous and unbearable mental or physical suffering that can’t be relieved” or a serious, incurable condition.
According to RTBF, Shanti made a formal request that she be euthanized earlier this year. Two psychiatrists had already approved her request.
The report stated that the woman had been surrounded her family and was executed on May 7, 2022.
Shanti shared a final touching message on social media that day, writing: ‘I laughed and was crying. Up until the very end. True love was something I felt and loved.
“Now I will be leaving in peace. Please know that I already miss you.
Although the case might not be resolved, Antwerp prosecutors have begun an investigation following complaints by a UZC Brugman academic clinic hospital in Brussels that Shanti’s decision to end her life was made ‘prematurely.
While the Belgian Federal Commission for the Control and Evaluation of Euthanasia had not expressed concern about the matter, Paul Deltenre, a neurologist, stated that Shanti still has other options for care and treatment. According to RTBF.