Blondie Sez:
Over the years, I have known of some. Many had medical illnesses that were not treated because of fear of psychiatrists, the medical field in general. The acknowledgement of mental illness in the general population is a serious problem, which is made worse by the WTS unofficial stance towards treatment. People do not want to be labeled mentally ill and have everything they say and do filtered through that, JWs or not.
The issue with JWs is that instead of their "enlightened" scriptural background helping them rise above the labeling in the world at large, they make it worse, make people even more afraid to seek treatment.
Count me as 'one' suicide attempt.
Count three more successful suicide attempts among Witnesses that I personally know of.
What Blondie said, hits the heart of the matter -- even tho' I've seen an article in the WT saying it is sometimes acceptable to seek therapy and Rx treament -- they REALLY tell you...what you REALLY need to do, to 'be happy' is to 'be strong in the Truth'. Somehow...in the depths of depression, we are supposed to be out in Service, convincing other people, if THEY too, want to be happy (like us...?) ...they need to join us!
I never did...in the 10 years from my attempt... have I ever gotten ANY help of any kind from the JW Empire. The Elders...looked at me like deer in the headlights of your car. They had no understanding, no training. There were some two that were very helpful, but, when I tried to bring up my suicide attempt or try to voice my concerns over how I felt about 'contradictions' in the way other Elders were treating me...I was cut-off. I was continually told to 'Study longer and harder, really dedicate my life...' , you know the drill !
My now X-wife and her family, were convinced I must be: they said -- weak spirituallly, I had a demon and even asked me if maybe I had bought something at a garage sale that might have been owned by someone who was demonized...!! OR maybe it was that Adult porn magazine that was found in my possession.
I actually suffered in the 20th Century from Major Depression and Epilepsy, *sigh*
Everyone of these including me, were the results of: either the stress of not being able to live up to the impossible 'high' standards of an unforgiving, stiff-necked organization, the existing Depression or Mental Illness, the non-existant counseling programs or training of the Elders to recognize these problems, or all the above.
Officially...unofficial, damn. I was told that ANY person that went to a Psychologist, (me) had to be crazy and if I wasn't before I went...I would be later, because...NOW GET THIS: those Doctors would and could 'put' bad thoughts in my head...that could loosen my faith and eventually destroy my family.
Count '2' more suicide attempts among 2 of my children who have been under the influence of primarily my X and the JW's the last 6 - 7 years. One was DF'd for a while, the other just went away. They are under extreme pressure from that fanatical side of the family.
So here is my count so far: 3 suicide attempts
3 'successful' suicide attempts
NOW...try to count the number of family members, relatives and friends who were victimized...how many more are on the way...?
Officially Pissed, Lee
