Source: http://groups.google.com/group/alt.religion.scientology/msg/c792519be70e1925
Newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology
From: "friendship" <friends...@ureach.com>
Date: 27 May 2005 11:42:18 -0700
Subject: Does Scn really provide a solution to depression?

Does Scn really provide a solution to depression? Or other severe emotional distress?

Let's say you were a Scientologist or non-Scientolgist who was suffering from a fairly severe emotional problem. Serious depression, post-partem psychosis, suicidal thoughts and urges, etc.

Here's what would probably happen if you tried to get Scientology counselling to relieve the situation.

First of all, you would not be accepted for counselling at most Missions or Churches of Scn unless you paid for what would be considered enough counselling to actually resolve your complaints. Because your distress is serious, this would be quite a bit of money. Probably in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Next, you would probably not be able to receive Scientology services if you are or have ever taken any medication considered to be psychiatric -- anti-depressants, for example. I'm not sure if the C of S is still enforcing this as strenuously as it was a few years ago. But if they are, then if a person has ever taken 'psych drugs' (anti-depressants, for example) they are considered 'illegal pcs' and, therefore, not eligible for Scientology counselling.

Next, if you have ever been institutionalized or been under the care of a psychiatrist for any length of time you would be ineligible for Scientology counselling.

I'm not 100% sure about this but I believe that you can't even go to Flag for any type of service (training or auditing) if you ever threatened suicide or seriously considered suicide or attempted suicide. I believe that that is a policy peculiar to Flag. Can someone verify this?

Now, if you have gotten past all these hurdles and you were accepted for auditing you would still have to be 'sessionable'.

As many, if not most, people with severe emotional difficulties have serious sleep problems, the likelihood of them actually getting counselling is slim and they would have to do a lot of waiting around and non-drug sleep remedies.

In my experience, Scientology staff members have a strong aversion to anyone in actual distress. They put up barriers that discourage the desparate. They don't like people sitting in their reception areas who are not cheerful and good PR for Scn. People who are sad or glum might make people think that Scn doesn't work.

All this belies the hype that Flag is 'the friendliest place on earth'.

The legal department of the Office of Special Affairs tries to avoid major 'flaps' by screening people who want to receive counselling to weed out anyone who might cause trouble.

Forget about mental or emotional problems. Long-standing Scientologists who have run of the mill physical conditions are often barred from Scientology help when they need it the most. Wayne Pullen was taken off OT 7 because he had a blood clot in his leg a few years ago. Recently, Rene Duke was not allowed to continue on Solo NOTS because she has a heart condition. The same with David Howson. At least this is what I've heard from people in the know.

So, even a loyal Scientologist who thinks that Scientology may, theoretically, have solutions for many of the problems people have, would have to admit that though they believe in a Scientology solution in theory, in reality it is very hard to get actual help if you're in real trouble.