The figure was revealed by Wim Distelmans, chairman of the Federal Euthanasia Commission.

He said bipolar patients were the majority of 50-60 "psychiatric suicides" last year.

"Mostly they're not old, but they've suffered for a long time," he said

Last year, there were 1924 people who died by euthanasia in Belgium.

A Brussels newspaper has profiled a physically healthy 24-year-old woman who has been granted permission to die by euthanasia.

After she asked to die this way, three psychiatrists analysed her and concluded she should be allowed to die.

Euthanasia was legalised in Belgium in 2002 for terminally ill patients.

But restrictions have gradually been loosened.

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