The Watch Tower Society has released an astonishing article in its August 2013 Awake! magazine addressing the delicate but widespread issue of teenagers who self-harm. The advice to such ones is simply: “pray to Jehovah God.”
The two page article on pages 5 and 6 of the magazine answers a number of questions related to the issue, and correctly addresses some common misconceptions about the habit.
Readers are reminded that self-harm is not necessarily just a fad or intended as a means of attracting attention. However, the point is made on the first page of the article that “if your teenager self-injures, she needs help.” Despite drawing this obvious conclusion, nowhere in the article is the reader encouraged to seek the advice of mental health professionals.
A copy of the article in question is downloadable by clicking here.
Any suggestion that the answer to the solution to this distressing problem may lie beyond simply reasoning with the teenager or asking them to pray is confined to a footnote at the end of the article, which reads:
“Often, self-injury is a symptom of depression or another disorder. In such cases, medical help may be needed. Awake! does not endorse any particular approach. However, Christians should be sure that any treatment they pursue does not conflict with Bible principles.” (Awake! August 2012, page 5)
The teenager’s welfare is thus relegated to being of lesser importance than finding medical treatment that observes “Bible principles.” This bizarre viewpoint echoes similar sentiments that have been printed by Watchtower on the issue of child abuse. Consider the following words directed at parents of child abuse victims, as printed in a 1993 Awake! article (bold is mine)…
“Parents must therefore make every reasonable effort to protect their children! Many responsible parents choose to seek out professional help for an abused child. Just as you would with a medical doctor, make sure that any such professional will respect your religious views. Help your child rebuild his or her shattered self-esteem through a steady outpouring of parental love.” – Awake! 1993 10/8 page 9
Watch Tower Society seems determined to steer its readers away from mental health experts to the extent possible, no matter how perilous the situation they face. They are evidently fearful of Witnesses being exposed to advice or “worldly thinking” that could weaken the organization’s mental grip.
In this particular case, having raised such an important issue, Awake! deliberately shies away from offering an effective solution, insisting that it “does not endorse any particular approach.” Many would argue that one cannot (or should not) attempt to write an article on such a delicate issue as self-harm if you refuse to “endorse” professional help. It seems the only course of action that the writers are happy to endorse as a blanket cure for all cases of self-harm is prayer, as the concluding words of the article indicate.
“Encourage your teenager to pray to Jehovah God. The Bible says: “Throw all your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) ‘I made an effort to pour out my feelings to Jehovah God,’ says Lorena, 17, ‘especially when I was tempted to self-injure. It helped me to try that much harder to stop.'”—Bible principle: 1 Thessalonians 5:17.” (Awake! August 2012, page 5)
The corresponding online article on JW.org expands on this suggested remedy, saying, “Start with brief prayers, perhaps simply telling Jehovah, ‘I need help.'”
I would strongly recommend that any Witness parents reading this advice, especially those with teenagers who self-harm, do careful research to find out what professionals have to say on this issue.
Any who do so will find it repeatedly stressed that, though parents of self-harmers should not panic if there is no immediate threat to life, they should certainly seek the advice of “a trained mental health professional who has experience in this area.” (see article on Parenting.org)
This infuriates me to no end! Enough is enough! We are having this type of problem in our family now, during the past few months. I can’t abide by the Watchtower’s obvious distrust of psychological treatments, that they would “conflict” with the bible’s viewpoint. WHAT? I’m too angry to say anything further, but I will calm down and as the Terminator said, “I’ll be back!”
It’s quite obvious the WTB&TS is now proffessing to have all the ‘answers’ relating to mankind and above the established proffessional medical establishment of our society as a whole; beyond reproach or question. Their arrogance and condescending attitude in certainly an ambiguity towards confidence.
Does any person out there other than a Jehovah Witness disagree with my comment? Let me know?
How about a Christian that agrees with you, Harold? Not so radically as you, but the point is that the WTS does NOT have all the answers and should humbly admit its shortcomings, which it hasn’t in the past. But, whatever they say, it’s up to each Christian to safeguard what he or she holds to be true and to trash the rest. No one can take from us our responsibility to do our own thinking and to make our own choices.
Oh wait, what? Jehovah’s Witnesses actually have young ones who self-harm? Imagine that. What could they possibly have to be depressed or anxious about?
Yes, I thought just that. They were probably encouraged their whole life to pray and they probably already did it to some extent, yet they developed that serious problem.
This is nothing new! When I was in the Borg, in the early ’60’s it was still the order of the day that You Did NOT seek professional help. Sorry to say it is even worse today. Professional help is there and should be used!
Muchísimas gracias Cedars, tus artículos no tienen desperdicio, son tan incisivos, y de una máxima actualidad, que esto me impulsa a querer compartir tu excelente trabajo, con el resto de mis compañeros…
Saludos desde España, y a seguir adelante…
Desapastillada.
I concur with Cedars summary regarding seeking professional assistance with any mental health or behavior issues. But, all Christians would state that prayer and faith remain a part of a faith-based living, and coupled with professional mental health care and maintenance an holistic plan of recovery and recuperation.
It’s also telling on the parenting.org website that some general causes for youths self-harming is listed as, “include impulsivity, a way to distract from personal pain, feelings of control, and peer pressure. If a person is cutting or engaging in any other form of self-injury, a mental health professional should be consulted. Professionals will use interview techniques to identify reasons why it may be occurring and to provide interventions for effective treatment.” All of these general causes can exist for a JW youth who is struggling with issues that could cast them as “unbecoming” or “not exemplary” and facing peer pressures to conform and belong to the greater community at school or the neighborhood.
The HQ would naturally want elders to be the first interviewers who discover the root-cause prior to secular professionals, whom would be ethically obligated to report child-abuse (sexual, mental or physical).
A broader view of this is revealing. In July 2013 Study article, we noted the coronation of the GB as “Sancta Sedes”, and now this article reverting to traditional hardcore (hardliner) viewpoint that JW’s do not need/require/seek secular assistance would indicate a swing of influence at HQ toward the conservative set of administrators. I would expect an old-fashioned “witch hunt” akin to the 1980’s “Bethel Inquisition” or Cromwell’s purging in England of those with moderate or progressive viewpoints. Scapegoating those with “progressive” views was used in past to excuse poor performance and growth (like India and other lands) because “Yahweh” was not pleased and withholding blessings [note, the reversal of the sanctuary being set-proper in 1919 supports this cyclical view of a “march through the wilderness” toward Paradise].
Well first let me say that there are different types of “cutting” and self injury and people who do this can sometimes be directly traced to symptoms of trauma and abuse. That in itself needs to be looked at as an issue in and of itself and is something that I immediately explore when confronted with this scenario so as to rule it out as a factor in the equation.
Second, this is classic Watchtower and if anyone wants to go back to the ” JW.org on alert! Anonymous attacks the Watchtower” posting by Cedars which is here on JWsurvey? and scroll down through the comments…you can see a phony attempt by the Society through a person using the name of “Jessica” who exemplifies the Society’s feeling towards the Mentally Ill.
How would this person even know what another’s disability or history was? And how much of an impact would or could it have on being a criminal (outside of stigma and bias, bigotry) any more than being in a wheelchair or having an amputation or any other disability? Yet this will give you a clear, however small idea of where the Society has always stood and what Mentally Ill people have had to contend with inside that organization…
The reality is that no professional or competent Mental Health practitioner is going to attempt to influence one’s Religious beliefs unless they truly see a danger or threat which actually exists!
The Watchtower snivelling cowardly creeps regularly view your ‘comments on the internet’. Their rationale: to have current up-dates that may pose a ‘threat’ to their organization. A very high-ranking member personally reveiled that to me. They also keep files on personal that challenge publically their viewpoints.
Well I never trusted anecdotal evidence or experiences as they are doctored up for an emotional response. Who cares about one individual that overcomes depression since it is always different case by case. Young women under pressures within do this act as a release from internal turmoil. Prayer can be a suggestion to aid in the recovery process but not a diagnosis. The WTBS is rather intelligent about not directly suggesting this be your first option but it is read within the context often as the solution. Many followers are not all properly educated to understand the ramifications that come with believing that prayer to Jehovah is a better solution versus real professional help. Poor diet, lack of sleep, high stress, bullying in school and many other possible explanations can be the root cause for this cutting problem in these young woman.
In my personal opinion this is just another typical diversion to isolate those with problems that need real help. I have seen wonderful recoveries through the power of prayer after those get the proper treatment as needed. No where in the bible does it clearly state that any one bible principle such as prayer will cure everything and all the time. It is considered a tool for spirituality but many naive members might think otherwise about prayer. It is also considered an addiction once it becomes necessary in order to alter ones state of mind. When they cut themselves the bodies releases a variety of internal chemicals that can become addictive overtime. I would respect the WTBS more if they would not want to isolate their youth so much and provide real knowledge to those families that struggle with this in their lives.
Love to all and Cedars Thanks for keeping the protection of the youth still alive.
“When they cut themselves the bodies releases a variety of internal chemicals that can become addictive overtime” ~ “Compulsive cutting” as purely a means of coping or dealing with stress, anxiety or life’s issues and behavioural self medicating, misguided “cognitive therapy” is another issue as well.
Often that is indicative of hidden and very neat, organized rows of scars that are not as deep and don’t reflect the pain, desperation or passion of trauma or abuse. It serves a specific purpose as would any addiction. Everybody is different of course but one will want to look in the places on the body where you would expect to hide such things.
I know for a fact how the society discourages using mental health professionals and they do an amazing job instilling fear of mhp into all jdubs. I remember being at a district convention and a talk being given about why would a jw even consider using a mhp when we have elders? Dealing with an anorexic 16 year old who had been sexually abused by a jw family member at the time I was absolutely beside myself with anger and frustration.
Hi Joanna, my deepest sympathies for your family member! Her self-esteem is probably at its lowest level, but she’s an irreplaceable human individual who has deep feelings. It always hits the most sensitive people in our society. But it’s those people that we need the most! Tell her that a total stranger is deeply concerned for her well-being and hopes dearly that she overcomes this crisis. We need her / him!
Cedars,
I read the Awake article and then your Blog. In my view the footnote was directing me to seek medical help, as well as the self harmer talking to their parents. In my view prayer was not the only solution.
Ahh well that’s just my view
Keep up the good work Cedars
70wksofyrs
Here is the link to the “JW.org on alert! Anonymous attacks the Watchtower!” post that I mentioned previously and above.
I think it’s important and I could have posted it in the post above as I suppose I should have but I really would like people to go there.
Please read the comments not only to see the comments by this Watchtower poser named “Jessica” and get the sense of the Society’s hateful, destructive view on the Mentally Ill but also to get a notion from that of the types and level of desperate, cunning, devious and underhanded tactics that The Society employs in it’s twisted perception of “Spiritual Warfare”…
http://jwsurvey.org/cedars-blog/jw-org-on-alert-anonymous-attacks-the-watchtower
In January-2013, my witness sister tried to take her life. Thankfully she is still with us and is recieving the Mental help she needs. It was a struggle to get her to the mental hospital, a place I tried to get her to go to…. long before that terrible day. She was worried about the stigma it would hold and the guilt she would feel that she didn’t throw her anxiety on God enough. I am from a large family of witnesses I am not a JW any longer, nor have respect for the hypocrites in my family.
The “witness” siblings did not visit her in the hospital, their only advice was to lean on Jehovah more, and also to quit associating with non-spiritual ones (me). My sister has had a few day passes, she asks where are her spiritual family members when she needs them, to talk or just simply take her for a drive. One JW family member said “I will take you to a meeting thats it”. I am so bitter and infuriated with this whole mind control , blind faith, lack of compassion that I can’t think straight. When she reads this magazine (Aug) it will make her feel even more upset and foolish for not leaning on God and praying incessantly. Plus it will give the family members fuel for their thinking as well..
If you read g93 8/8 pp. 22-25 you will find there an article “Should My Family Be Immunized?”. A subtitle “Blood in the Production of Vaccines” starts with these words “This raises an important point for Christians, who are concerned with the Bible’s prohibition on misuse of blood. (Acts 15:28, 29) Are any other vaccines made from blood?” it goes on saying “…passive immunizations are those of concern regarding the issue of blood, what stand would be taken by the conscientious Christian?”. I think you understand what it means!! somewhere they say “to have your family immunized is your personal decision to make.—Galatians 6:5” REALLY!! HYPOCRITES THEY ARE!! At the end of the article they give a list of Immunizations Derived From Blood
Heptavax-B
Rhogam
Antitoxins
Antivenins (for snake and spider venom)
Immune globulins (for various diseases)
Gamma globulin
Hyperimmune serum preparations (antirabies serum, for example)
They are making TROUBLED CONSCIENCE that they will call TRAINED CONSCIENCE TO CONFUSE THEIR FOLLOWERS!!
I remember dealing with this destructive habit and occasional relapses. My pain was directly caused by being told I was going to die if I were not baptized along with self esteem issues. That still bothers me to have been taught over and over again that death is imminent if you don’t get baptized. It wasn’t enough that I went to the meetings. So I got baptized. Now I regret it because I am stuck and afraid to lose communication/ties with my family because I want to have a life and a mind of my own. My mind is constantly at war because of this organization. Leaving Jehovah and facing death/shunning, or fading and not going to the meetings or in field service which leads to destruction according to teachings. This makes you irregular/marked. God doesn’t want a half heart. Be on the watch and ready at all times. -__- everything is life or death. Can’t even take your own life because that’s a sin too. oh my what ISN’T a sin. No choice but to suffer forever and hoping Armageddon doesn’t come. That was my reasoning which leads to behavior like this.
The question arises: ‘What kind of a God is this’?. A God who demands devotion out of frear? I would like to worship a God out of ‘love’ rather than ‘fear’.
“My mind is constantly at war because of this organization. Leaving Jehovah and facing death/shunning, or fading and not going to the meetings or in field service which leads to destruction according to teachings. This makes you irregular/marked. God doesn’t want a half heart. Be on the watch and ready at all times. -__- everything is life or death. Can’t even take your own life because that’s a sin too. oh my what ISN’T a sin. No choice but to suffer forever and hoping Armageddon doesn’t come. That was my reasoning which leads to behavior like this.” ~ A very accurate description on behalf of many! But please understand that it is not to be found anywhere in the Bible nor is it God’s intent…this should tell you that something is wrong! Is God wrong or is it man? More accurately is it this organization? “A good tree cannot produce worthless fruit”
harold gerber June 4, 2013 at 4:38 am
“The question arises: ‘What kind of a God is this’?. A God who demands devotion out of frear? I would like to worship a God out of ‘love’ rather than ‘fear’.”
Your question has arisen countless times before with respect to this organization as well and the answer is clear! Just as the phony facade and the lies and PR program the attempts to pull the wool over people’s eyes with garbage like “Love among themselves” and “Spiritual Paradise” but do absolutely nothing materially for each other in their conditional little Police State but ‘Rat each other out’ at each and every turn by those who exploit the exaggerated belief in “unity” and other misguided but harmful, hurtful practices…
“Pray harder”, is the reply that the Elders give to people coming to them in need of material things. As well as, “Here, eat this magazine or lay your head on this book since, WE ARE A PREACHING AND TEACHING ORGANIZATION AND NOT SET UP FOR MATERIAL WORKS” But they sure don’t mind asking! for donations for building funds etc, or for tax free status!
Jehovah, the God of the Bible won’t even accept service under compulsion!
Does that answer your question?
Nothing wrong with praying to God (if that’s part of your belief system). What if God is telling you to go to a medical professional to assist with your mental issues?
Buddhagan,
Through which channel? The channel (GB) claiming to link you with God is the very channel (GB) asking you to pray to God. Logically, the same channel should ask you to seek medical assistance if that is what God will tell you!! and of course, you will wait TILL a publication telling you NOW to seek medical assistance is issued; that will be a “NEW LIGHT”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is research that show child abuse and self harm are not uncommon. How ever difficult it is to get to the cause of self harm. It certainly is not something to walk away from. Professionals and Police who deal with the results of self harm are worth talking to.
Understanding the cause could be the motivation to help, cure and save a persons life. Gaining the persons confidence and letting them express how they feel, and why they feel the need to self harm. They are in need of help. Organizations can be more pro-active in this regard. Not stand at a distance and put it in the too hard basket.
The sentiments expressed here reflect the hardcore Witnesses–even though they may slobber down some major alcohol at a bbq. no cigs. This “I will take you to a meeting” and “you’re mentally sick because you’re weak” always struck me as inconsistent thinking. Aren’t we all ‘weak’ and in need of Christ? and, when we stumble from day to day, thus, in need of Christ? and, aren’t we judging if we say, well, that was a transgression not a major sin, or deliberate sin?
The situation described here shows how JW’s isolate then annihilate their own. First, they ‘mark’ someone whom they perceive as different, then when this person turns to the only persons who will socialize with them they are ostracized even further for being “weak.” I began to notice at an early childhood age that the folks who got d/f or reproof were the ones who were not “inside the circle”–pushed away by the haughty or self-righteous. Would you want to go in field service if you perceived the group was sneering down their noses at you? Hell, no!
And, this is the group dynamics of JW’s at work and a major reason Russell was opposed to “organized religion”–someone has to claw their way to the “top” of something in an organization whether it is the social pyramid, or the elder pyramid or the GB pyramid.
Watchtower Society is there to us biblically educated conscience that later because of emotional pain begin to cut the body.
After 17 agonizing years of being mentally forced, conditioned to be the perfect J.W, I ended up self harming, and received no help, after years of violent abuse, and sexual abuse happening to members of my family, I ended up leaving “the truth” and becoming mentally ill. Since then it has been said to me that I wasn’t ill when in “the Truth”….but that so called blinkered religion creates illness, depression, shields abusers and changes their doctrines whenever it suits them. They destroyed my life then, and the effects have continued to affect my life in a negative way, more needs to be done to expose this so called lovely religion.
I actually found prayer helped with the self harm, if only because it turns your mind onto something else. It’s not the answer tho- it’s a medical problem and needs medical solutions. JWs worry that if they see a counselor or something he/she will tell them to leave JWs. I’ve been to all those sorts of people, and they do respect your views. It’s their place to treat you, not change your religion!
“They destroyed my life then, and the effects have continued to affect my life in a negative way, more needs to be done to expose this so called lovely religion.”
I know people tire of hearing me say this but I will continue on either way for the benefit of those who haven’t and anyone who may appreciate it…People need to report their experiences and those that they have witnessed others go through to the FBI as well as to their public officials in their respective countries.
They already have their sites on the Watchtower Society and need to hear from as many people as possible and it is the finest way to truly practice the “Love among themselves” in a real and pragmatic way that you were denied yourself for so many years!
This type of article makes me sick with their advise of praying more or going out in service or being more spiritual as the way to heal. These are serious illnesses and problems that need professional intervention. It is a crime that they have made people feel guilty for seeking help and making people believe that these elders can help them, that is the furthest thing from the truth. Elders have no training what so ever and most of them have nothing but a high school education and you expect them to counsel you with a serious problem. This is what happens when you have a bunch of uneducated men controlling other people’s lives! The advise they should be giving you is to find an excellent therapist or doctor to help you. They do so much harm with these ignorant articles!
yeah, when you think about it, if god cares so much when you pray, surely those who are doing everything right according to the rules, we wouldnt feel this way in the first place. I was very ill because of this religion, everyone noticed, but treated me like I was being rebellious and difficult, my advice is to see a therapist. there was an article not that long ago, that said, people who leave the truth are mentally diseased…..HA!!!!!
“I was very ill because of this religion, everyone noticed, but treated me like I was being rebellious and difficult”
We’ve never seen this syndrome before! (sarcasm or the purpose of therapeutic levity) (- :
I remember when they had a similar article
Hence the phrase, “constant prayer”.
No because if you actually look into true history you will find there is not a single shred of evidence that the biblical Jesus ever existed.
Well, after reading the August 2013 Awake, I’m convinced–the Trinity really is non-biblical and false.
I thought Josephus mentions Jesus? I think academics acknowledge that there was a carpenter’s son from Nazareth. Whether he was the son of god and the messiah, well, that’s up to personal belief. I have no interest in trying to persuade for or against.
Of course, I said Christ, not Jesus, so if you could prove Christ existed, it wouldn’t be faith, would it?
If you self harm – pray. Are they serious? Unfortunately yes.
I went through hell when I was disfellowshipped. I drank too much, was angry, scared and felt let down by the ones who said that they loved me.
Eventually, I went for counselling as advised by my doctor. I found the lady annoying at the time, but eventually I understood what she was trying to do.
Get professional help. Get educated about your problem.
I was lucky. I found my balance again, but it was very hard. Took me about a decade to sort myself out to become the lovely, charming, educated man I am today. (And so modest too!)
If you google Jehovahs Witnesses and self harm your post stands out front and center for all of our young ones to read…telling them if they are a Jehovahs witness they have nothing to be anxious or depressed about..did you consider teens who self harm might read this? Those who struggle with self harm and suicidal thoughts reading your post are very likely to feel only worse as if they have nothing to feel pain about. JW’s are humans too, make mistakes too and feel pain too. Everyone is trying to do the best they can. I am not a Jehovahs Witness however my husband is and although we have our disagreements this religion made him a better man. Our daughter has this issue and we have not been told she shouldnt see her therapist, take meds or see a psych. I also recall when we first starting going a woman who suffered from bi-polar she was encouraged to make sure she kept seeking medical help and taking her meds so i am not sure where you all go but this is my experience. I do hope your comment didn’t further hurt any young person who read it. I find it so disheartening that every other religion is considered with respect but if its the Jehovahs Witnesses the attacks and hurtful words are never left unsaid. It is only God that any of us have to answer to not each other so if you are someone who does go to a Kingdom Hall that frowns upon taking your teen to a therapist it is not up to them as humans to make that choice for you, pray, have faith and do what you need to do in your own home. It took my husband many years to recognize that he was attaining for perfection and thats impossible, although some members of the KH may not agree with some things we do they dont treat us any differently, they are not rude or shunning they are actually the most accepting and loving group of people i have ever met. And believe me he went into this religion with me kicking and screaming, I went on and off for years, as a smoker and someone who has her own issues they have never treated me poorly. They invite my husband for dinner and say if your wife wants to smoke she can step outside its not a big deal. we go to graduation parties or events and they all hug me and talk to me i am not shunned because i do not go. Only God will be there to judge us when the time comes not other humans including the elders at the KH. May peace and love be with your families especially those of us trying to help our adolescents see their own beauty.
“did you consider teens who self harm might read this?”
I sincerely hope so, because my article tells teenagers contemplating self harm that they should urgently seek professional help, whereas your husband’s religion makes this sound optional.
“JW’s are humans too, make mistakes too and feel pain too. Everyone is trying to do the best they can.”
You could apply that sentence to any harmful cult. “Islamic extremists are humans too, make mistakes too and feel pain too. Everyone is trying to do the best they can.”
“Our daughter has this issue and we have not been told she shouldnt see her therapist, take meds or see a psych.”
The point is not whether your daughter is DISSUADED from seeking professional help. The point is that your daughter is not ENCOURAGED to seek professional help urgently, at least not in this Awake article. Can you see the difference?
“I find it so disheartening that every other religion is considered with respect but if its the Jehovahs Witnesses the attacks and hurtful words are never left unsaid.”
Far from it, Jehovah’s Witnesses get off the hook lightly as far as the media concerned. It is estimated that the no blood policy alone has killed 50,000 people, but you don’t see that statistic splashed across any headlines do you? Journalists would much rather focus their attentions on the latest Scientology gossip than bother with what JWs are doing.
My dear, you won’t get any of the bad stuff until you get baptized. Everyone treats unbaptized ones beautifully so they can get you baptized. Be very careful, things can change on a dime. I’m sure your husband doesn’t know or believe this, and he doesn’t mean to pull you in, but God isn’t what they teach him to be. He isn’t in any religion, he is just with you :)