What do you think?
Rate this book
Bridge Over The River Why: A Guide for Those Who Have Suffered the Loss of a Child to Suicide
“In Bridge Over the River Why, the Coopers have succeeded in a dual task documenting their own journey through the grief of losing their son Eli by suicide, while at the same time providing a valuable resource for anyone who has had to face the same terrible tragedy. They start with the premise that “doing and feeling” are the key components of moving forward and have a core message to deliver: “as bereaved parents, we want you to know this is survivable”.
This short book blends the personal inquiry of David and Deborah, populated with meaningful quotations and practical advice. They challenge readers to harness their own resilience and list a series of brief tips ranging from how to talk to friends- “the more we talk about the loss, the more real it becomes...talk about your child often”. Keeping Eli’s name in day to day conversation helped them move forward.
There are different ways to carry on the legacy of a loved one. Some keep a photo album, while others focus on sponsoring a memorial lecture or a scholarship. In their search for meaning, the Coopers are committed to addressing a significant gap in the mental health services for people like Eli, by establishing Eli’s Place, a rural residential treatment and transition centre, dedicated to holistic therapeutic techniques for young adults. As a psychiatrist working in the fields of depression and suicide, I am inspired by this initiative and believe this is an important step in building strong partnerships between persons who have lived through serious mental health challenges, and those who provide professional care.”
—Sidney H. Kennedy, MD Professor of Psychiatry, University of Toronto Arthur Sommer Rotenberg Chair in Suicide and Depression Studies, St. Michael’s Hospital
"This book is an excellent guide for parents and others grappling with a suicide loss. The Coopers are an authentic compassionate pair of voices that speak from their lived experience. Cross the bridge and take the journey with them. A journey of tears and ultimately, hopefulness."
—Alex Shendelman, Program Manager The Survivor Support Program, Distress Centres, Toronto, and a survivor of suicide loss
This short book blends the personal inquiry of David and Deborah, populated with meaningful quotations and practical advice. They challenge readers to harness their own resilience and list a series of brief tips ranging from how to talk to friends- “the more we talk about the loss, the more real it becomes...talk about your child often”. Keeping Eli’s name in day to day conversation helped them move forward.
There are different ways to carry on the legacy of a loved one. Some keep a photo album, while others focus on sponsoring a memorial lecture or a scholarship. In their search for meaning, the Coopers are committed to addressing a significant gap in the mental health services for people like Eli, by establishing Eli’s Place, a rural residential treatment and transition centre, dedicated to holistic therapeutic techniques for young adults. As a psychiatrist working in the fields of depression and suicide, I am inspired by this initiative and believe this is an important step in building strong partnerships between persons who have lived through serious mental health challenges, and those who provide professional care.”
—Sidney H. Kennedy, MD Professor of Psychiatry, University of Toronto Arthur Sommer Rotenberg Chair in Suicide and Depression Studies, St. Michael’s Hospital
"This book is an excellent guide for parents and others grappling with a suicide loss. The Coopers are an authentic compassionate pair of voices that speak from their lived experience. Cross the bridge and take the journey with them. A journey of tears and ultimately, hopefulness."
—Alex Shendelman, Program Manager The Survivor Support Program, Distress Centres, Toronto, and a survivor of suicide loss
70 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2018
1 person is currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
David Cooper
292 books6 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 8, 2018
I reccomend this touching, compassionate, relevant book to grieving parents and anyone whose life has been touched by suicide.
In sharing their journey through tragic grief to hope and meaning, I am reminded of the Japanese " Kintsugi" : (or Kintsukuroi, which means “golden repair”) the ...Japanese art of fixing broken pottery ... Beautiful seams of gold glint in the cracks of ceramic ware...
This repair method .....emphasizing its fractures and breaks instead of hiding or disguising them. Kintsugi ...makes the repaired piece even more beautiful than the original, revitalizing it with new life."
art therapist and counsellor
https://mymodernmet.com/kintsugi-kint...
In sharing their journey through tragic grief to hope and meaning, I am reminded of the Japanese " Kintsugi" : (or Kintsukuroi, which means “golden repair”) the ...Japanese art of fixing broken pottery ... Beautiful seams of gold glint in the cracks of ceramic ware...
This repair method .....emphasizing its fractures and breaks instead of hiding or disguising them. Kintsugi ...makes the repaired piece even more beautiful than the original, revitalizing it with new life."
art therapist and counsellor
https://mymodernmet.com/kintsugi-kint...
May 13, 2018
Although this book was written specifically for parents grieving a child lost to suicide, it is so well written that it would be helpful for any parent who has lost a child, as well as friends, family & counsellors. The book goes into depth explaining that as parents, they must go deep into their grief so as to start the healing process. I am the parent of two children who lost their lives by completing their suicides & I found this book to be a "treasure". It is a "must read" for those who are grappling with death & gives suggestions on how the survivors can take back the power of helplessness in failing to save their children from death.
May 25, 2018
This book describes the painful and tragic journey of the Cooper family as their son,Eli, struggled to find help in the mental health field. Their insights about their experiences provide us with valuable information about this challenging process.
As two family physicians for the past forty years we have seen the glaring deficiencies in the provision of mental health services. Deborah and David’s work on establishing Eli’s Place will help to fill a glaring gap in the mental health field.
We encourage health care providers to read Bridge Over the River Why to gain critical insights into a difficult and important topic.
Miriam and Josh Devon
As two family physicians for the past forty years we have seen the glaring deficiencies in the provision of mental health services. Deborah and David’s work on establishing Eli’s Place will help to fill a glaring gap in the mental health field.
We encourage health care providers to read Bridge Over the River Why to gain critical insights into a difficult and important topic.
Miriam and Josh Devon
May 1, 2018
Bridge Over The River Why is concise, very readable, honest, real and useful. It doesn't sugar-coat the devastation of losing a child to suicide -- while providing very practical suggestions and reflections which the authors themselves have used to survive and recover from the one terrible tragedy no parent ever wants to face.
August 12, 2019
A must-read book for any parents who have lost a child to suicide. David and Deborah are compassionate, wonderful people and their journey to reconciliation and joy, even knowing they will never stop missing their son, Eli, is so touching and meaningful to any parent. The book is brief and very well written and is packed with practical advice.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews