One of the most persistent criticisms of Scientology are for its stance on mental health, especially the doctrine that psychiatric medicine- especially the buse of psychotropic drugs- is an evil influence to be avoided at all costs. So, like the Christian organizations who eschew medical doctors in favor of prayer, Scientologists are faced with tough decisions when faced with illnesses for which the church insists Scientogy is the only acceptable solution. As a result, adherents (and their families) faced with mental illnesses attempt a religious rather than medical cure, often with disastrous results.

The tragic case of Jeremy Perkins, a schizophrenic who stabbed his mother to death after , is often cited by critics of Scientology, who claim such tragedies are inevitable in a faith that refuses to compromise with modern medicine- and it seems they are correct, after a near identical incident in Australia last week, wherein a 15-year old schizophrenic is accused of fatally stabbing her father and sister and gravely injuring her mother after being similarly refused treastment.