InfoAnda - Coroner: Self-help course led to woman's suicide

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Saudi 'emo' girls busted by religious cops: report | 23 May 2010
Suntory buys majority stake in China wine importer | 10 December 2009
Disappointment, pride for fans as NZ bows out | 25 June 2010

Cheney calls Mubarak a good friend, US ally | 6 February 2011

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Coroner: Self-help course led to woman's suicide

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search ADVERTISEMENT Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Coroner: Self-help course led to woman's suicide By KRISTEN GELINEAU,Associated Press Writer - Wednesday, December 9 Send IM Story Print SYDNEY – An Australian coroner said Tuesday that participation in an intense self-help course led a woman to suffer a psychotic breakdown before she stripped naked and leaped to her death from an office window in front of horrified co-workers. The coroner's findings come four years after 34-year-old Rebekah Lawrence's death in Sydney, providing a sense of relief to family members who had long argued the young woman never would have killed herself if not for her participation in a seminar called The Turning Point. "The evidence is overwhelming that the act of stepping out of a window to her death was the tragic culmination of a developing psychosis that had its origins in a self-development course known as 'The Turning Point,'" Deputy State Coroner Malcolm MacPherson said as he read his findings. In Australia, a coroner investigates the circumstances of unusual deaths in court-like proceedings called an inquest and can recommend further action by police or prosecutors if warranted. MacPherson did not recommend any charges be filed against Turning Point officials. But he did suggest that laws be drafted to require that those offering self-development seminars be qualified and accredited. "Rebekah's death isn't in vain _ it's helped a lot of people who may have come to the same grim end in the future," Lawrence's husband, David Booth, said outside court. "I'm not angry, because they didn't mean to do it. It's just unqualified people doing damaging things to people's minds." Lawrence's death on Dec. 20, 2005, came two days after she completed The Turning Point, a four-day seminar run by the Sydney self-development company People Knowhow. Turning Point officials acknowledged during inquest hearings in August that the course was intense and included the controversial technique of childhood regressive therapy. Such therapy uses hypnotic techniques designed to emotionally regress people to childlike states so they can confront issues from their past. Lawrence's behavior changed as the course progressed, and in the hours before her death, grew particularly childlike, to the point where she could no longer dress herself. Over the span of a few days, she began to forget basic things such as her favorite song, tried to command the family dog with her mind and spoke of a fear of death. On her last day alive, co-workers recall she became increasingly erratic and placed dozens of calls to Turning Point officials. The normally shy and quiet woman then stripped off her clothes, screamed at and shoved her supervisor, burst into song and dove out the window. An autopsy found no drugs or alcohol in her system, and she had no history of mental illness. Lawyers for People Knowhow officials argued that Lawrence's psychotic state and subsequent death were likely caused by an undiagnosed mental condition, worsened by conflicting feelings she had recently had over whether to have children. Her husband did not want children and at 34, Lawrence felt her time to have them was running out _ causing her severe emotional trauma, the lawyers said. But MacPherson rejected that argument, saying there was powerful evidence Lawrence had decided she had time to resolve the issue. Tom Kent, an attorney for People Knowhow director Geoff Kabealo, said he had not read the coroner's findings yet. Calls to People Knowhow's offices went unanswered. Lawrence had called course officials the night before her death, and she was clearly agitated, talking about her childhood and a disturbing movie she had recently seen about exorcisms, according to evidence in the case file. One official advised her to have a cup of tea and a warm shower and to be kind to herself. In his findings, MacPherson said officials clearly missed a call for help that night. "Those persons were simply ill equipped to know that this was a serious situation and Rebekah needed medical _ or at least psychological _ intervention," the coroner said. In Australia, the psychotherapy and counseling industries are self-regulated, with no mandated training or accreditation requirements. Kabealo has a degree in business administration. Turning Point leader Richard Arthur has a degree in computer science. MacPherson suggested a law be introduced to require that anyone providing therapy or counseling services have a formal qualification from an accredited institution. He also recommended mandatory accreditation for psychotherapists and counselors. Lawrence's sister, Kate Lawrence-Haynes, said she hopes the results will help create more awareness about the lack of regulation of the self-help industry. "Tread carefully _ look what is in the courses," she said. "If they don't tell you what is in the courses before you attend them _ they promise you the world, promise you happiness _ then that's a red flag for them not being genuine. They're businesses." Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Thai jailed in Cambodia over Thaksin flight leak Reuters - 1 hour 1 minute ago Myanmar destroys $93 million in illicit drugs AP - 1 hour 2 minutes ago Japanese minister says talks on US base suspended AP - 1 hour 27 minutes ago Militants attack Pakistan spy agency office, 7 dead Reuters - 2 hours 7 minutes ago Afghan gov't says NATO attack killed 6 civilians AP - 2 hours 13 minutes ago News Search Top Stories Haggling begins at UN climate talks Virgin unveils spaceship to offer space tourism Bernanke says recovery fragile, signals rates on hold India, Russia sign deals on nuclear energy, defence German industrial orders post surprise drop More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Dubai stock market slumps Virgin unveils spaceship to offer space tourism 'I'm A Celebrity' TV stars charged over rat risotto British Grand Prix saved Tiger's woes played for TV laughs in spoof More Most Viewed » Global stocks mixed amid Dubai debt crisis Tiny magnetic discs could kill cancer cells: study Alcohol helps cut heart disease risk for men: study Mankind using Earth's resources at alarming rate Dubai blackout over debt plans to hit Gulf markets More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Tuesday, 8 December 2009
Tens of thousands protest in Iran, battling police
EU agrees closer ties with Serbia
US-TECH Summary
UN urges Iraq to set election date 'as soon as possible'
India, Russia sign deals on nuclear energy, defence
Bombs kill 43 in Pakistan; amnesty case stirs tension |
Russia mourns as blaze toll rises to 113
Iran protesters stage new demonstrations
EU set to end Microsoft dispute next week: sources
German industrial orders post surprise drop
Russia mourns as club fire victims are buried |
Iran opposition renews protests, clashes with police
British Grand Prix saved
Phone thieves "targeting more live music gigs"
Gunmen kill seven soldiers in northern Turkey
Greek police fire teargas in second day of riots |
Dubai stock market slumps
Pope, Irish Church to hold summit on child abuse |
'I'm A Celebrity' TV stars charged over rat risotto
Somali police warn of more suicide bombings |
Seven children killed by bomb at Baghdad school
Seven children killed by bomb at Baghdad school |
Basescu wins Romanian election, rivals cry foul |
Iran police clash with protesters in Tehran
U.N. court rejects Karadzic legitimacy challenge |
Iraq VP election veto brings Sunnis limited gains |
2 bombs kill 16 in eastern Pakistan city of Lahore
Chinese man still jailed 1 year after reform call
At least 15 dead as twin bombs hit Pakistan's Lahore: police
Senate confronts abortion in health care debate
Bombs kill 43 in Pakistan; amnesty case stirs tension
Famous Miranda rights warning could get rewrite
Delay in Barnes & Noble's Nook seen as setback |
Obama sending envoy to communist North Korea
Suspect charged in killing of Pittsburgh-area cop
2 blasts rock eastern Pakistani city of Lahore
Ohio dismemberment killer arrives in death house
EBay and Craigslist square off in Delaware court |
Winter Storm To Bring Strong Winds, Heavy Snowfall To Western U.S., Plains
Indian govt. under pressure over carbon pledge
U.S. regulators look at privacy of consumer data |
Family vows to get US student Knox out of Italian jail
Philippine officials order 2,400 gunmen to disarm
EU set to end Microsoft dispute next week: sources |
Yahoo Puts $60 Price Tag On Privacy
Drunken driving death rates decline in 40 states
Afghan government: Taliban commander killed
RIM announces Blackberry China distribution deal |
Woman Flashes Breasts To Avoid Traffic Ticket And Ends Up Arrested
Drug, math research honored in youth competition
FDA Warns Texas Oysters Linked To Virus
Supreme Court weighs validity of anti-fraud law
China auto sales, output go over 12 million
Phone thieves targeting more live music gigs |
Nation Marks 68th Anniversary Of Pearl Harbor
Chicago terrorism suspect charged in Mumbai attack
Woman Tries To Kill Mistress' Unborn Baby
Pentagon orders 16,000 troops to start surge
Trial Of Former Special Education Teacher Who Let Cats Starve To Begin On Monday
Pink Glove Dance Promotes Breast Cancer Awareness
Episcopal Diocese Of Los Angeles Elects First Openly Gay Bishop
Company Recalls Tainted Beef; Second Time This Year
Tata Group launches water purifier for the masses
GM names Tim Lee head of international operations
Mercedes wins new Shanghai stadium naming rights
Federer, Brad Pitt named in new edition of Who's Who
China's domestic demand, exports boost bid: media
PNG gas project to supply Japan's TEPCO: Exxon
Indonesia president fears plot amid protests
Estonia's Santas drop whips
Billy Joel's daughter out of hospital |
New film "Oceans" gives fish-eye view of sea life
Seinfeld delivers masterful riffs on what bugs him |
Star tenor Villazon to make comeback next March
Quaid announces system to prevent medicine errors
New film Oceans gives fish-eye view of sea life |
British TV channel apologises over rat eating row
Federer, Brad Pitt named in new edition of Who's Who
Barenboim conducts 'Carmen' at La Scala
Monk finale sets cable ratings record |
Paris Tour d'Argent auctions wine from famed cellar
Dust and whale skull in line for Turner Prize
Weezer singer hurt when bus skids off road in NY
Yahoo Puts $60 Price Tag On Privacy
Woman Flashes Breasts To Avoid Traffic Ticket And Ends Up Arrested
Woman Tries To Kill Mistress' Unborn Baby
Philippine Social Welfare Department Reports Substantial Drop In Human Organ Trafficking
Gates Afghan visit for Karzai, military talks
Google search getting eyes and ears
Virgin offers travelers cheaper space tourism
U.S. envoy in North Korea to push nuclear talks |
Google search adds Twitter-Facebook-MySpace feeds
Bernanke says recovery fragile, signals rates on hold
New York Times not to sell Massachusetts newspaper
Suspected U.S. missile strike in Pakistan |
Online news editor named to Pulitzer Prize Board
Officials recommend postponing Iraqi elections
Magnitude 5.9 quake hits Malawi after earlier tremors |
MIT wins Pentagon prize in social networking contest
Baghdad calmer _ and quieter _ with club crackdown
China school stampede kills eight, injures 26 |
Netanyahu says Iranian leaders losing support
EBay and Craigslist square off in Delaware court
Bolivia's Morales says will deepen leftist reforms |
Ex-president murder probe shakes Chile |
Google CEO joins Twitter
Russia's Putin lambasts officials after disco fire |
Delay in Barnes & Noble's Nook seen as setback
Seven children killed by bomb at Baghdad school |
U.S. regulators look at privacy of consumer data
Taiwan party leader mum on presidential candidacy
Google revamps search with real-time results |
Coroner: self-help course led to woman's suicide
Obama spokesman: 'Silly' not to allow Va. flagpole
US drone attack kills three in Pakistan: officials
Powerful snowstorm sweeps across West
Philippines, Muslim rebels resume peace talks
Police: Bonds' son arrested after arguing with mom
Pakistan market bombing toll hits 49
CAPITAL CULTURE: Obama drops cautious arts policy
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
'Family Ties' actor arrested after Colo. assault
Blasts in eastern Pakistan city kill up to 48
Hero pilot offers hat to help 2 Calif. schools
Amnesty calls for end to Philippine martial law
US says carbon shift is boost to Copenhagen
Gates to Afghans: US `in this thing to win'
Blasts in eastern Pakistan city kill 48
Doctor who attended JFK in Dallas has died
Anna Nicole Smith's doctors fight to keep licenses
Mel Gibson to make movie in Mexico prison: state governor
Seoul shares slip pressured by banks, commods
China Mobile, RIM to boost BlackBerry use in China
Japan to boost recovery with giant stimulus plan
Billy Joel's daughter out of hospital |
Korea Hot Stocks
Australians welcome 'confession' on Timor killings
Nine makes awkward transition to screen |
Pakistan
Roman Polanski, Sharon Tate nude sells for $11,250 |
Twilight studio working on Dracula remake |
Japan unveils new $80.6 billion stimulus package
Weezer cancels December concerts after crash |
Ex-manager of The Fray fires back over lawsuit
Seoul shares rangebound; banks, steelmakers weigh
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
VH1 drafts Basketball Wives docu-soap |
Robin Williams to return for "Happy Feet" sequel
Japan ministers OK massive stimulus package: media
Robin Williams to return for Happy Feet sequel |
Turning trash into treasure in Cairo
S.Korean bonds rebound on Bernanke's dovish view
Pearl Jam unveils 2010 European tour plans |
English whisky comes of age
Seoul shares open lower; steel issues weigh
Wiig to host `SNL' Christmas special as Gilly
"Nine" makes awkward transition to screen
"Twilight" studio working on "Dracula" remake
VH1 drafts "Basketball Wives" docu-soap
'Family Ties' actor arrested after Colo. assault
Iran says will show no mercy to opposition protesters
Qaeda claims it has French, Spanish hostages
Samsung looks for software boost in smartphones
Haggling begins at UN climate talks
Gates tells Afghans U.S. not leaving yet |
Tweet while you work, urges Australian report
Victoria Beckham's Dresses From Label Collection Stolen At Knife Point
Militants attack Pakistan spy agency office, 7 dead |
Destiny's Child Members Settle Copyright Infringement Suit For "Cater 2 U" Song
Cyber crooks tarketing banks-social networks: Cisco
Car bombs rock Iraqi capital, 112 killed
Pete Doherty Busted In Germany For Allegedly Smashing Car Window
Iran says will show no mercy to opposition protesters |
Baghdad blasts kill 127
EU urges Israel to share Jerusalem |
John Stamos Named As Victim In A Failed Extortion Plot
Iran prosecutor warns Mousavi
"Family Ties" Youngest Star Brian Bonsall Arrested For Allegedly Hitting Friend With A Stool
Israel official: religious law must become binding
Iraq sets March 6 for poll after political wrangling |
At Kennedy Awards, Obama Reveals Personal Touch Of Jazz In His Life
Kosovo independence was only option, U.S. says |
Irish Balladeer Liam Clancy Dies At 74
22 killed and 60 wounded in Baghdad attacks: police
Deadly blast at a Somali graduation |
West must gain Iran's trust for nuke deal: ministry
Domino's Pizza Pulls Ads From "Jersey Shore"
Ron Livingston Suing Hacker For False Wikipedia Info
Samsung looks for software boost in smartphones
Barbra Streisand Sued By Carpenter Over Ditch Fall
Coroner: Self-help course led to woman's suicide
Maoist rebels kill 2 soldiers in eastern India
India plans to try Chicago man for Mumbai attacks
UK makes online safety lessons for kids compulsory |
Eikenberry says he supports Afghan strategy
Oscar insiders take their movie chat online |
Supreme Court won't block 1st US 1-drug execution
Afghan gov't says NATO attack killed 6 civilians
Samsung looks for software boost in smartphones |
China executes rogue trader, millions still missing
Obama talks jobs creation
Thai man jailed 7 years for spying in Cambodia
Obama to spell out new job-creating initiative
Tibetans protest over jailed monk in China
US plan for wild horse round-up faces opposition
Baucus girlfriend eyed US attorney post for years
Cambodian court convicts Thai man of spying
LA council to revisit medical marijuana ordinance
China deliveries fuel November sales rise: Audi
Indian car sales surge 61%: industry
Taiwan aims to avoid over-reliance on China market
PetroChina to double annual joint output by 2015
Pakistani o/n rates ease; stocks end lower
Output halved at key Kyrgyz power plant
India's vehicle sales surge 72 percent in Nov
Indonesia police on edge over anti-graft protest
Oscar insiders take their movie chat online |
Taiwan dollar at 2-½ wk low after c.bank moves
New film revives memories of Mandela's rugby moment
FACTBOX-S.Korean policymakers' comments on economy, policy
IMF says S.Korea has room to raise interest rates
Roman Polanski, Sharon Tate nude sells for $11,250
'Walking with Dinosaurs' robot stolen in Mexico
With familiarity, Letterman jokes about Woods
MIT Team Wins $40,000 In DoD Balloon Search Contest
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01