Scientology: A growing threat to psychiatry

As I've mentioned before and will again, persons with mental illnesses live under an unusual brand of scrutiny, and are very often misunderstood and falsely labeled by the uneducated public. One such label, and perhaps the most dangerous for us, is the idea that mentally ill people are violent, moreso than the average citizen, and can at any time snap and murder an innocent person unlucky enough to have crossed our path. The truth is that serious mental illness carries a significantly lower threat of violence than people believe, only 3% - 5% of overall violence in the US. The truth is that persons without mental illness who are substance abusers cause the majority of violence in our country and are nearly 7 times more likely to exhibit violent behavior! (These statistics come from the "New England Journal of Medicine") So it is a terrible lie that mentally ill people are violent and should be feared. But the 3% - 5% of mentally ill people who commit violent acts, such as murder, may not be getting treatment for their illness. Tom Cruise has used his fame to promote his cult, Scientology, and their adament disapproval and attempted discreditation of psychiatry, and therefore, psychiatric patients. You may remember his insults to Matt Lauer and hateful comments on Brooke Shields when she disclosed her struggle with postpardum depression. This brings me, finally, to the point of this post. A young woman in New South Wales has pled not guilty to the murder of her father and sister, who were devout Scientologists. The then 24 year old stabbed her father and sister to death, and also injured her mother, all while suffering what they referred to as "significant psychotic illness." She sought treatment more than once but was denied b/c of her family's involvement and devotion to Scientology. She was refused treatment for "significant psychotic illness!" Anyone who is unlucky enough to have lived through a psychotic episode knows the brain in psychosis cannot be trusted, it is chemical, not emotional. Scientology urges members not to trust mental health professionals, and campaigns against psychiatry in every capacity. So who is to be held responsible for the deaths of these people? The now 25 year old daughter suffering from an untreated psychotic disorder?! Not no, but HELL NO! Scientology? Because of the fame and celebrity status of Tom Cruise and others (John Travolta, Kirstie Alley, etc.) the ideas and beliefs of Scientology are being heard by a very large audience. We MUST continue to speak out on our own behalf and speak louder than those whose ignorance portrays us as anything other than what we are: persons with a brain disorder who contribute great things to society and always have throughout history. Break the stigma! jody