Eight Stories Up: An Adolescent Chooses Hope over Suicide

by DeQuincy Lezine, David Brent

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young Americans aged 15-24. As a teenager, DeQuincy Lezine nearly ended his own life-he believed it was the only way to end the emotional pain and misery caused by clinical depression. Instead, Lezine was able to receive expert psychiatric care,
and went on to found the first campus-based chapter of the Suicide Prevention Action Network USA.

Now a researcher at the University of Rochester Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide, Lezine is particularly devoted to preventing adolescent suicide, and he brings the wealth of his personal and professional experience to bear in Eight Stories Up. He first describes his deteriorating
state of mind in college, pinpointing some of the origins of the depression that would nearly claim his life. He then goes on to use his experiences to offer wisdom and practical advice to other young people who may be considering suicide. In straightforward, easy-to-understand language and along
with the psychiatric expertise of David Brent, MD, Lezine discusses what is known about suicide in adolescents, how to seek psychiatric treatment, and how to get the most out of professional help. He also surveys some of the therapists used to prevent suicide, how to talk to loved ones about
suicidal thoughts, and how to stay healthy at home and at school. The result is both a remarkable memoir and a useful guide that will help to ease the isolation and suffering caused by thoughts of suicide, assuring young people that, with commitment and hard work, they can overcome their troubles
in a safe and healthy way.

Part of the Adolescent Mental Health Initiative series of books written specifically for teens and young adults, Eight Stories Up offers hope to young people who are at risk of suicide, offering a lifeline of experienced support and guidance that could save their lives.

Genres: Mental Health, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published March 11, 2008

Reviews

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that covers accurate information and facts. The fact that he included his story makes the book more touching and real. He gave examples of what a suicidal person tends to act or think like because he himself went through it. I like how it wasn't only his story or only facts, but a mixture of the two.

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure who would read this book. Definitely targeted toward adolescents' in crisis, but I'm assuming they would seek advice over the internet. The information was fairly surface level. Not a lot of new insight for anyone who has already been studying suicidal ideation in adolescents, etc.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hopeful, helpful and practical book written for persons experiencing depression with even occasional suicidal ideation. Also helpful for friends and family of such persons and for mental health professionals.

[Meagen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my review several years ago as a very depressed teenager.

To anyone who has thought about suicide at all, get this book. I absolutely love it. At one point I thought seriously about suicide, but these days it's just the persistent thoughts. As anyone with experience knows, "I should just end it all," becomes a constant refrain in your head once introduced. Whether or not you want to kill yourself, it won't get out.

This book brought me hope, and that's definitely saying something. My mind has been gone for months, and I had already lost all hope for ever surviving the trials it brings me.

This isn't just some BS book about "don't kill yourself, people will miss you, bla bla." This guy really cares. He really does. He respects all the readers as adults, not just kids, which is another rare commodity.

Sure, I'm not over my own mental issues, but it is SO WONDERFUL to feel understood. Yeah, this guy knows what he's talking about. He's not some therapist who has read a book and recites mantras. He knows and he understands. I am feeling understood in my desires for the first time in my life.

In a way, that has freed me - freed me from the monster of my mind. Not completely, but it's like the monster's teeth have been filed down so that they can't rip apart my brain quite so damagingly.

He cares. Read it. Get it from the library. Whatever you have to do, you deserve the care and understanding in that book.

[Jossie Mtz · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a person who has dealt with depression before, it was a little hard to read, but I was glad it was hard, because it means it was accurate and well done; the way he chooses to write his story was incredible, also he includes a lot of examples of his thought process while he was depressed, which felt horribly familiar, but rather informative for persons who haven't gone through this.
Apart from the strong story, and how he writes about his experiences, what made me love this book was the amount of information he included about the topic. In between telling his story, there are tons of definitions, statistics and other types of info regarding depression, suicide and recovery. Of course the book is not recent, and the statistics may be a little bit off by now (2016), but it truly helps you get your head around the concept and size of the problem.
This book is not only a good story about depression for you to read; whether you're going through depression or not, it helps you be more informed about this very important topic.
If you're interested in the topic of depression and suicide, and you don't mind getting info in between stories, this is definitely the book for you.

[Karen Mayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK. It discusses suicide in a bit intellectual, detached way. It did not really discusses the reason for repeated suicide attempts...

[April Vangelderen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I disagree with a few things, but over all it was interesting