Suicide Survivors' Handbook - Expanded Edition (Paperback)

by Trudy Carlson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Honest, insightful, well written and optimistic. A very important book for the newly bereaved, their relative and friends. Very helpful for educators and for professions who work with teenagers and suicide survivors. This book is a must for all Suicide Survivors Support Groups and those who work with the bereaved. -- Ben Wolfe, M.ED. L.I. C. S.W, Past-President, The Association for Death Education and Counseling

It is the most helpful book I have read on bereavement. It answers the questions we all ask when we're grieving. I think this book is a "must read" for all suicide survivors and their loved ones who feel so incompetent as they search for understanding and ways to help the bereaved. Reading it helped me understand why my precious 13 year-old son died by suicide. -- Margaret K., facilitator, Suicide Survivors Support Group, St. Mary's Medical Center

Suicide Survivors Handbook is a much needed book in a physicians practice. The book is very insightful and loaded with practical information. It is a very useful book for survivors of suicide and just as useful for any type of loss of a loved one. I will be more than happy to use it in may practice. -- Kenneth L. Irons, M.D

Product Description
Based on personal experience and extensive grief research, this practical compendium is filled with frank advice for fellow survivors. Dealing with the three major survivors issues (the question "Why?", anger over the event, and guilt) the book gives description of typical patterns in grief process and offers helpful steps to recovery. Chapters include dealing with others, handling holidays, and effects of death and tragedy on the family unit. Of special interest is a portion of one chapter devoted to grief issues of surviving children.

This is an expanded version of the Handbook which was originally published in 1995. The expanded Handbook contains additional information concerning resources for survivors.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Benline Press (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964244381
• ISBN-13: 978-0964244382
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #965,186 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book!, January 30, 2000

By	PJ in Minnesota - See all my reviews

This review is from: Suicide Survivor's Handbook: A Guide to the Bereaved and Those Who Wish to Help Them (Paperback)

I first read Carlson's book about 3 years ago, and since then have re-read parts of it and given copies to friends who were struggling with the aftershock of suicide.

The title may be a little misleading; though I initially read the book because of a suicide, I discovered later that it could apply to any death that a reader may be coping with.

This guide addresses not only the grief and angst of suicide, but also deals with the minor details we may never think of until we really need them: What do you say to a grieving parent? Is it best to not say anything and avoid bringing up hurtful feelings? What about holidays and special occasions?

I found the book extremely helpful and enlightening. The hard-learned lessons that made the book possible shine through on every page. Carlson writes from experience and from the heart about a subject most of us are ill-prepared to deal with. I highly recommend this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Parent/child and adolescent focused, May 14, 2002

By A Customer

This is the first book I have read about suicide since my sister's suicide about 5-6 weeks ago. Just a warning to others that Carlson's book is far from a generalist's view on suicide. There is a heavy concentration on identifying depression in youths and adolescents as a way to stem potential suicide risk. As a result, I ended up breezing through several sections that I just didn't find relevant. Other major concentrations in the book discuss parent/child relationships though for very young and adolescent children but again, not too relevant to my situation.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Highly Recommend This Helpful Guide, June 22, 2001

By	PJ in Minnesota - See all my reviews

I first read this book about 4 years ago, and since then have gone back to look at passages that were particularly helpful to people struggling with the aftershock of suicide.

The title may be a bit misleading; although it's about suicide, it's also applicable to any death that a person may be dealing with. Carlson's book addresses not only grief and anxieties associated with suicide, but also the little details we don't think of until we really need them: What do you say to a person in grief; how do you handle anniversaries and special occasions when someone is surviving a loss, etc.

I found this book helpful and enlightening, especially knowing that Carlson learned all these details through experiencing a significant loss in her family through suicide. She writes not only from experience, but also from her heart. Technical how-to's are a dime a dozen. This one's different.