Jehovah witness problem.

[goniffe]

Hi. Im not certain if I should be here asking this question but I cant think of any other way of asking such a large group of understanding people.
My partners eighty year old mother was kicked out of the JW many years ago for having an iligitimate child.She has lately been going through some very very serious depression which nothing seems to be able to help. My partner is fairly certain that a large amount of her depression is directly connected to her past with JW. Really my question is does anyone know of a help group or a method to help my mother in law or can suggest anything that may be of help for us? Anyone that has been through a similar problem and managed to find a solution? My mother in law has recently said once or twice that she doesnt want to live anymore. Any advice would be very gratefully received. Thank you.

There's an organisation that was set up to help people who left JW for whatever reason. I know someone who was a JW and the effect on her life has been helped greatly by their support. It's very very hard to get support from people who haven't been through it. Perhaps try contacting them. Their website is www.exjwsupport.co.uk

I know from my friend getting help from other organisations can be very hard due to misunderstandings/misconceptions so I'd start with them.

Have you seen the film Apostacy? If not this film may help her. It’s about this exact scenario. Sounds like delayed effects of trauma, but it may be many other things.

Becca. Thank you so much for the link.That is exactly the sort of thing we were looking for. We will most certainly be in touch with them. Really cant thank you enough.x

Moononthe hill. Thank you for the suggestion.We havnt seen it but I have just bought it from ebay. Thanks again.x

They really get what it's like. I know it happened awhile ago to your partners mum, I'm sure they can still help, and from what my friend went though I know it is damaging. They may be able to help with advising for other places for support as well.

The film moon mentioned I have seen, it is quite distressing, though it will give you some understanding of what she has gone through. I don't know if it would help her which is why I didn't mention it.

Thanks for the information regarding Apostasy and your reluctance to mention it. Rather than get my partners mother to watch it we will watch it and see if it is likely to help her. I think it will help us at the very least.

It might help her but to be honest it might end up causing more harm than good as it might drag up even more distressing things for her.

It'll definitely give you some perspective on what she went through.

Yes, I thought better of what I said immediately after I posted. It may retraumatise her.
I hope the film will help you understand better. The religion is pure poison.

moon dont worry we've all done that! I hope you didn't think I was questioning your advice, that wasn't my intention.

Thats ok. She is in such a delicate place at the moment that we are aware that we have to tread on eggshells as it were. We are going to have to approach this very carefully and quietly if we are to be able to help. Again,we really do appreciate your help.

www.jwfacts.com has some excellent resources. Hugs to you all.

I hope you can get her some help. One of my cousins married into JW and gradually dropped contact with her parents.

Not at all Becca. You were right.