A 28-year-old British-Ghanaian artist has made the difficult decision to seek euthanasia after years of struggling with bipolar disorder.
Joseph Awuah-Darko, who has openly documented his battle with mental illness on social media, has now relocated to the Netherlands, where euthanasia for mental suffering is legal.
In an emotional Instagram video posted in December, Awuah-Darko explained his decision. “Hi,” he said. “I’m Joseph, I am bipolar and I moved to the Netherlands to legally end my life.”
A Long Battle with Mental Illness
Awuah-Darko has spent years battling the extreme highs and lows that come with bipolar disorder. The condition, as described by the National Institute of Mental Health, causes severe mood shifts, from manic episodes of heightened energy and activity to periods of deep depression. These fluctuations can make everyday life unpredictable and emotionally exhausting.
“I wake up every day in severe pain,” he shared in his video, adding that he had spent five years weighing his decision before filing a request with the Netherlands’ Euthanasia Expert Centre.
“I am not saying that life (as a phenomenon) isn’t worth living. It ABSOLUTELY is. What I am saying is that the mental weight of MINE has become entirely unbearable,” he wrote in the caption.
He cited multiple factors that have contributed to his suffering, including the pressures of young adulthood, financial struggles, and the fast-paced, often overwhelming nature of the modern world. “The constant burnout, the burden of debt, paralysing depression, violent media cycle and the dystopian reality of AI … all weigh heavy,” he explained.
“Now more than ever, the possibility of being humanely put to rest with dignity matters,” he state. “I’m ready to go home.”
A Journey Toward Connection
While waiting for approval—a process that could take up to four years—Awuah-Darko has taken an unexpected path. After publicly sharing his story, he received more than 100 messages from strangers inviting him to share a meal.
Inspired by these offers, he launched what he calls “The Last Supper Project,” a worldwide dinner tour where he connects with people from different backgrounds.
So far, he has traveled to Paris, Milan, Brussels, and Berlin, documenting 57 dinners, with over 120 more planned through August.
“I have such an emotional relationship with food from memories of my mother’s sautéed onions and jollof rice, having fantastic prosciutto in Venice, to remarkable meat in Argentina when I used to go watch my father play polo,” he shared. “I thought, ‘As I work with this non-violent transition in my life, why don’t I connect with people to break bread?’”
For Awuah-Darko, these meals provide a rare moment of comfort. “I enjoy decentering myself from my life and being a part of other people’s during dinner. I do find great fulfillment in connecting with people this way.”
Facing Public Reactions
His journey has sparked mixed reactions. While many have expressed support and admiration for his openness, others have pleaded with him to reconsider. Some have even accused him of “glorifying” suicide, a claim he strongly rejects.
In a recent interview with The Times, he explained why he believes euthanasia offers him the most dignified choice. “There is a dignity attached to doing it this way, with as much closure, patience and understanding in knowing that you will not have to be discovered lifeless by somebody else, not a train conductor, not your sibling, not your friends,” he said.
Despite finding comfort in his global dining experiences, he acknowledges that his struggles persist. “I still do wake up with breathing, really profound pain attached to my bipolar disorder. There’s a huge amount of ambivalence,” he admitted.
Ultimately, Awuah-Darko hopes that by sharing his experience, others suffering from chronic mental illness will feel less alone. “I hope that [people with chronic mental illness] feel seen through my existence and my decision to live as authentically as possible. If I end up doing this for the rest of my life, I wouldn’t be upset.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.