"Some Indicators of Suicide
- Problems sleeping, loss of appetite
- Isolation and withdrawal , accident proneness
- Running away from home
- Dramatic changes in appearance
- Drug and/or alcohol abuse
- Agitation and aggression
- Talk about death ; written messages of self-destruction; artwork depicting violence, especially against self
- Guilt feelings
- Hopelessness, anxiety, depression, crying spells
- Giving away personal possessions
- Shortened attention span
- Loss of interest in pleasurable activities
- Self-criticism
- Sexual promiscuity
- Sudden drop in school performance, school attendance problems
- Cult or gang membership
- Euphoria after depression
I don't know if the suicide rate is any higher amongst Witnesses as opposed to the general population, but the real question is: why are ANY Witnesses committing suicide? Aren't they supposed to be "the happiest people on earth"?? I remember reading one article in the WT or Awake years ago about one brother who committed suicide because he committed fornication. The ONLY reason anyone would commit suicide after committing fornication is if they were made to feel so guilty, so unworthy and so low by others. This is exactly what the religion does."
I know there's some sick people out there but this woman takes the cake.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), one of the institutes that makes up the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is the largest scientific organization in the world dedicated to research focused on the understanding, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders and the promotion of mental health. The mission of NIMH is to reduce the burden of mental illness and behavioral disorders through research on mind, brain, and behavior. They have reliable information on suicide prevention and so does the US Surgeon general.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention/index.shtml
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/summary.html
Mental disorders also are tragic contributors to mortality, with suicide perennially representing one of the leading preventable causes of death in the United States and worldwide.
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/chapter4/sec1_1.html#stressful
Stressful life events, even for those at the peak of mental health, erode quality of life and place people at risk for symptoms and signs of mental disorders. There is an ever-expanding list of formal and informal interventions to aid individuals coping with adversity. Sources of informal interventions include family and friends, education, community services, self-help groups, social support networks, religious and spiritual endeavors, complementary healers, and physical activities. As valuable as these activities may be for promoting mental health, they have received less research attention than have interventions for mental disorders. Nevertheless, there are selected interventions to help people cope with stressors, such as bereavement programs and programs for caregivers (see Chapter 5) as well as couples therapy and physical activity.
w94 6/1 p. 9 par. 7 Have You Found the Right Religion?
Though the Bible’s counsel is frequently not popular among those who reject authority and pursue a life of self-indulgence, many have come to realize that such a life has not brought them genuine happiness. (Galatians 6:7, 8) It shows us how to have happy families. It provides answers that enable a person to cope with the most stressful situations in life, including rejection by close family members, catastrophic illness, and the death of a loved one. It helps us to discern our priorities so that our lives are filled with meaning instead of regret.
I know one witness in good standing that committed suicide. He was in the final stages of an illness and was without adequate medical care. No credible mental organization will officially link Jehovah's Witnesses and suicide. There are some baseless clips here and there. Google the terms. If you find any other than apostate websites, you can post them here.