Part One: The Short Term. ''What's Happening to Me?''; Introduction: Lukas's Story. 1. What Happens to the Survivor After Someone Commits Suicide. 2. Emotional Reactions to Suicide. 3. A Family's Story. Part Two: The Long Run. ''What's Going to Happen to Me?'' 4. The Bargain: A Deal We Make with Life. 5. Bargains: The Long Good-bye. 6. Bargains: Scapegoating. 7. Bargains: ''I Am Guilty; I Am a Victim.'' 8. Bargains: Cutting Off. 9. Bargains: A Miscellany. 10. The Saddest Bargain: ''Because You Died, I'll Die.'' 11. The Grand Bargain: Silence. 12. Reactions to an Adolescent's Suicide. Part Three: Giving Help and Getting Help. Listening and Talking. 13. Responding. 14. Giving Help by Listening. 15. Getting Help by Talking. 16. Talking with Children. 17. Living with Suicide - Some Stories About Responding. Epilogue: Lukas's Story - A Personal Summary. The Future. Appendix: Where to Find Self-Help Groups. Bibliography. Notes. Index.
Description
This book is intended specifically neither for suicide survivors nor for professionals, yet it is well-suited to both audiences. Survivors will definitely find kinship - if not comfort - in the many personal stories featured here; they are also likely to feel less isolated and more accepting of their emotional reactions upon learning that they are not alone. Similarly, mental health professionals will benefit by gaining greater insight into and compassion for their clients who are suicide survivors. Overall, a well-done, very readable work for virtually all populations; highly recommended.