Why Suicide?: Questions and Answers About Suicide, Suicide Prevention, and Coping with the Suicide of Someone You Know - Softcover

Eric Marcus

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0062003917 ISBN 13: 9780062003911

Publisher: HarperOne, 2010

Synopsis

Without judgment, "Why Suicide?" offers lucid, thoughtful, and comprehensive answers to hundreds of questions about this complex and painful issue, examining the facts and figures and myths and rumours, shedding much-needed light on all aspects of suicide. Offering frank insight on everything you've always wanted - and needed - to know about suicide, attempted suicide, and assisted suicide, including: What is the impact of a suicide on families? Who is most likely to take his or her life? What are some of the most common myths about suicide? What does the Bible say about suicide? Is it against the law to help someone kill himself? Do life insurance issues have anything to do with why people don't want suicide to be the official cause of death?

About this title

Review:

"A must-read book for anyone whose life has been touched by suicide. It's compassionate, informative, and heartfelt. Do yourself a favor and start the healing with this splendid book!"--Dear Abby

"This book is a must have."--Surviving Suicide, a publication of the American Association of Suicidology

"It would have been such a comfort to have read this book after I lost my husband Edgar to suicide."--Joan Rivers

From the Back Cover:

Almost all of us are touched at some point in our lives by suicide, whether it's the suicide or attempted suicide of someone we know, our own passing thoughts of suicide, or a heartfelt plea from a terminally ill loved one who wishes for a swift and painless end to life. No matter what the circumstances, those of us who are affected are left with difficult and disturbing questions. Why did they do it? Is there anything I could of done to prevent it? What should I tell people when they ask what happened? Is someone who attempts suicide likely to try it again? What should I do if I'm thinking of committing suicide? Can I get in trouble if I help a terminally ill loved one die? Without moral judgment, Why Suicide? offers lucid, thoughtful, and comprehensive answers to hundreds of questions about this complex and painful issue. Eric Marcus cuts through the veil of silence, examining the facts and figures and myths and rumors, shedding much-needed light on all aspects of suicide.|

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, in our lifetimes 80 percent of us will have some up-close experience with the suicide of someone we know. And more than 20 percent of us will have a family member die by suicide. Journalist Eric Marcus knows this better than most people. In 1970, his father took his life at the age of 44. In 2008, his 49-year-old sister-in-law took her life as well.

In a completely revised and updated edition of the landmark original Why Suicide ?, Eric Marcus offers thoughtful answers to scores of questions about this complex, painful issue, from how to recognize the signs of someone who is suicidal to strategies for coping in the aftermath of a loved one's death.

No matter what the circumstances, those of us who are affected by suicide are left with difficult and disturbing questions:

• Why did they do it?
• Was it my fault?
• What should I tell people when they ask what happened?
• Is someone who attempts suicide likely to try again?
• What should I do if I'm thinking of killing myself?

Drawing from his own experience, as well as interviews with people who have been touched by suicide, Eric Marcus cuts through the veil of silence and misunderstanding to bring clarity, reassurance, and comfort to those who so desperately need it.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperOne
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0062003917
• ISBN 13: 9780062003911
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240