This is was very hard swallow. I know of a family who has suffered tremendously when their son (15) came down with a mental illness - he cuts himself, has intended suicide 5 times. He hard a hard time dealing with so many issues that he at one point told the elders I don't want to have anything to do with the Jehovah's. Guess what happens next? "X is no longer a Jehovah's Witness" WTF?
Right away when I left bethel i went to visit them. I knew he was dfed. I gave him a hug. His brothers and sisters (the fam.) sat around and we talked and they reminded me that he is dfed. I said I know, don't worry about it. In Bethel, I knew of many elders who made many mistakes, and the one made here is a major one. Anyway, the family was happy I dropped by.
I told the father that most elders are not trained in matters of mental health and to stay away from those that try to counsel them.
WAC - your friendly neighboorhood apostate.