Suicide Survivor's Handbook: A Guide to the Bereaved and Those Who Wish to Help Them

by Trudy Carlson

Based on personal experience and extensive grief research, this practical compendium is filled with frank advice for fellow survivors. Dealing with the three major survivor's 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.

150 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 1995

Reviews

[Livia Corry]

A good overview of the most common mental health disorders and life circumstances that contribute to suicide. There’s chapters on guilt, shame, how to support someone grieving and various books and organizations that offer info and support.

There were many typos and this book would have benefited from a better editor. Overall, this is an easy to digest book that gives guidance for those in acute grief. I would recommend it to those suffering.

[Kristina Marie]

Absolutely amazing. Really helps you through the process and really makes you want to read more about understanding depression and suicide

[Kris]

Realistic and raw self-help book. I am a survivor by partner and I truly enjoyed this handbook. I find that it would especially be beneficial to grieving parents. I hope to share this book with my lost loved one’s mother. I believe this will be helpful for her. Thank you, Trudy, for telling your truth. It has helped me (and I’m sure many others) through the grieving process.

[Dawn]

I gravitated toward this book in the lists of resources for suicide survivors due to its name: a handbook, a guide. I desperately wanted a book to give me answers and a handbook seemed to fit my needs. Author Trudy Carlson's book is split into sections categorized by questions that cover why, shame and guilt, dealing with others, and holidays. Carlson lost her son and she draws much of her advice from her personal experience as a parent who has lost a child. She brings up losing a parent or sibling, but not much else is mentioned. The writing style feels informal and homemade, but it is well-organized and straightforward. Not my highest regarded book on suicide bereavement, but helpful.I gravitated toward this book in the lists of resources for suicide survivors due to its name: a handbook, a guide. I desperately wanted a book to give me answers and a handbook seemed to fit my needs. Author Trudy Carlson's book is split into sections categorized by questions that cover why, shame and guilt, dealing with others, and holidays. Carlson lost her son and she draws much of her advice from her personal experience as a parent who has lost a child. She brings up losing a parent or sibling, but not much else is mentioned. The writing style feels informal and homemade, but it is well-organized and straightforward. Not my highest regarded book on suicide bereavement, but helpful.