Customer Reviews
A comprehensive guide on practical issues related to suicide - By: S. Knotts, 29 Feb 2008 
This book explains both the practicalities that need to be dealt with & some of the 'why' does it happen. The author is a suicide survivor & the text discusses the issues & experiences of other suicide survivors as well as practicalities like inquests, grief & support. Because it combines the two, it is not an afternoon read. But each chapter is self contained & manageable & the chapters do not need to be read in order.
For a more compact version try 'Coping with Suicide' by Maggie Helen.
Excellent source of comfort and understanding. - By: , 28 Nov 2005 
I bought this book following the suicide of my ex partner. For me the book has been a lifesaving source of comfort & information. The book has reallly helped reduce my feelings of isolation & provided such relief by detailing the experiences & feelings of others following a suicide. It has helped me realise that I am not alone & that my feelings are not odd or unusual & are shared with many others. It has also helped me understand the enormity of the event & the ongoing impact this has in life - especiallly important over time when life around begins to return to its usual pattern. I am still reading & getting comfort from this book many months after my loss.Highly recommended.
An absolute must for those affected by suicide - By: , 30 Jan 2002 A long & difficult search for a book that discussed the 'falll-out' after suicide, came to an end when I found this book. It has practical advice regarding dealing with police, coronors, inquests & a detailed section on the emotions you are likely to encounter. Bereavement by suicide is such a traumatic & 'taboo' situation that it is a godsend someone has written a book like this. It covers alll those questions you want to ask, but may be too afraid to. The best thing about this book was reading how other people felt - that I was not alone. Also it is a great relief to know that alll the intense & overwhelming emotions I went through were 'normal' & that I was not going completely mad. Your heart will break while reading this, but it certainly helped me to face my loss head on & ride the waves instead of fighting them.
A helpful book, a revelation - By: , 10 Nov 1999 I lost my mother to suicide 18 years ago. At that point I was aged 7. As a child I was shielded from the shock I suppose, but as children do, I picked up alot of information from the adults around me. After 17 years of struggling with the weight of the bereavement on my shoulders I decided to seek help. I was given "A special scar" by a counsellor & while reading it had revelation after revelation. To realise that I was not the only one suffering from intense grief & pain, was amazing. By talking to others & sharing my experiences & feelings, things somehow began to make sense again, even after alll those years. I do not pretend that the journey through grief has been easy, I do feel you get out what you put in & it is by no means over yet. My lost loved one will always be in my memory but I feel I've found the courage to move on with my life. Alison Wertheimer's book is very helpful on a pratical, as well as an emotional level. The stories of other survivor's help to ease the isolation often suffered by this type of bereavement. It is particularly helpful when the shock of a loved one's suicide begin's to wear off & the feelings are being faced. The most inportant message given in the book is you are not alone!
