***A heads up: This episode discusses sensitive topics like suicide and self-harm***

Joseph Awuah-Darko is a 28-year-old Ghanaian artist who announced last year that he was moving to Amsterdam to pursue what in the Netherlands is called “termination of life on request,” or euthanasia, amid a long struggle with bipolar disorder. That announcement shook the Internet. Joseph’s followers have reacted with every emotion from shock to disgust; commiseration to fascination. All in all, it’s one of those stories you feel you should look away from… But you can’t stop watching.

Mainly because — shouldn’t this be private? Shouldn’t we be having conversations about mental health and death…more? We went to Amsterdam to have one of those conversations, over a meal.

Homegoings is a production of Vermont Public. Follow the show here.

This episode was hosted and reported by Myra Flynn with help from our associate producer James Stewart. Our producer/director is Mike Dunn and Aaron Edwards is our story editor. Myra composed the theme music with other music by Blue Dot Sessions. Kaylee Mumford is the graphic artist behind this episode’sHomegoings artist portrait.

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