This is a great book for helping teens
cope with the loss of a loved one, whether it was a close friend or
family member. The book is written with short, easy to read sentences
and paragraphs. The chapters are organized in useful topics like
'suicide', 'loss of a friend', 'long term illness' ... so the reader can
locate those areas that pertain to their own situation. Having lost my
own mother when I was just 16 (20 years ago) I have bought 3 copies of
this book already - I give them out to teens who are grieving the loss
of a loved one. If you are a teen grieving the loss of a loved one or if
you are helping someone in this situation, I highly recommend this book.
"I couldn't stop thinking about Daddy. It was scary to think about our life
without him in it. Who would help me with my science project? Who would help us
fix our fishing hooks? Daddy had promised to teach me how to throw a curve
ball."
Living When a Young Friend Commits Suicide: Or Even Starts Talking About
It
by
Earl A. Grollman Editorial Reviews From Booklist Grollman, a prolific author and internationally known grief
counselor, and his colleague Malikow present a powerful, dynamic resource that
covers the issue of suicide from many angles. Using simple language, they
maintain a compassionate tone that makes the information accessible to readers,
no matter what their personality or stage of grief. Best of all, the text never
drifts into vagaries. It consistently and concretely analyzes the grieving
process and gives pragmatic advice on everything from talking to family members
of the deceased to avoiding unhealthy reactions, such as alcohol abuse. Even in
chapters that cover the sensitive issue of religious beliefs, the authors tread
confidently and nonjudgmentally, impressively honoring all perspectives. Of
great value to the youth who have faced the suicide of a loved one, the book
will also be useful to educators, counselors, and parents. Appended material
includes books and audiovisual support materials. Roger Leslie
An excellent resource for young people facing peer suicide, October 5,
1999
Reviewer: (colleens@ssm.ca)
from Ontario, Canada
October 4, 1999
Book Review - Colleen Sullivan
Living When a Young Friend Commits Suicide: Or
Even Starts Talking About It Earl A. Grollman and Max Malikow ISBN:
0-8070-2503-8 Beacon Press
Suicide, especially in children and teens is a
subject rarely discussed. Yet since 1980 the suicide rate among children 10 to
14 has nearly doubled, and in older teens is disproportionately high. For every
young person who commits suicide, the lives of friends and companions are
touched in a way different from that of surviving a natural death.
Living When A Young Friend Commits Suicide
addresses the concerns and questions of the young people left behind,
sensitively guiding them to understanding and acceptance. From the initial
feelings and emotions to the difficult and hard- hitting questions of youth the
authors offer sound advice and empathy.
When a friend has committed suicide your
feelings are myriad. Shock, grief, sadness, guilt and anger are some of the
emotions discussed in this book. Your questions are multiple, most importantly
"Why?" and "Was it Really a Suicide?" Did your friend tell you of his suicide
plans and swear you to secrecy? Are you carrying a burden of guilt because of
it? You need help, understanding and support to face the immediate future and to
learn how to cope. You may have heard misconceptions about suicide that you need
straight answers for, or you may have religious questions. All of these are
addressed in a forthright, easily read and understood manner in this book.
I highly recommend this book for any young
person faced with learning to live again after the suicide of a friend. I also
recommend it for the parents, counselors and teachers of youth who may be the
bereaved young person's first line of defense in recovery.
Addendum: As an adult with Bipolar Affective
Disorder suicide has touched my life several times, both in close friends and in
my own effort to end my life. It is my observation that loss due to suicide must
be dealt with at the time or it may affect a person's life months or even years
later. I applaud the authors of this book for removing the secrecy and stigma of
suicide and giving it the forthright attention it deserves. Congratulations! An
excellent book.
The
following books are recommended for the survivors of loss to suicide:
Using her experiences, those of other survivors, and advice
from mental-health professionals, Carla Fine provides a compassionate guide for
dealing with the guilt, anger, and confusion.
The authors present the only practical book to
guide friends and families of suicides through a program of grief recovery to
mental health. To be of special interest to parents and educators of teenagers.
Published by Jason Aronson,
1997
This book is now
available
Sue Chance's book is definitely something to
consider, if someone you know is dealing with the emotional problems of
surviving the suicide of someone close to them
Published by W.W. Norton and Company,1992
This book is now
available
This is a blessing of a book. Collective stories of
others, careful research into the subject, ethical debates over the stigmatism
of suicide, and even the dealings with the coroner and police--makes this a
complete suicide survival guide.
Published by Perseus Press, Oct.1997
This book is now
available
Grollman, a prolific author
and internationally known grief counselor, and his colleague Malikow present
a powerful, dynamic resource that covers the issue of suicide from many
angles. Of great value to the youth who have faced the suicide of a loved
one, the book will also be useful to educators, counselors, and parents. Read Review in left column
by
Helen Fitzgerald, Designer: Elisabeth Kubler-Ross 
