By the Cusp of the Moon: Finding Hope and Healing Beyond Suicide

by Rachel Roberts

This book was originally published under the Pen Name Rachel Roberts) By the Cusp of the Moon is a wife’s raw memoir about the last three years of her marriage to a man battling depression and an all-consuming desire to take his life. D.R. Fredi shares her experiences with nuance, compassion and understanding. She struggles with the exhaustion of caregiving, deals with the frustration of inadequate mental health resources (for patients and caregivers), and faces the stigmas ingrained in America’s bible belt. This is a book about love and loss. It is about creating human connections and drawing boundaries. It is about the journey to becoming whole after tragedy. More than that, this book creates a sense that those who struggle with the idea of suicide or who have loved ones who do, aren’t alone. This book is a timely reminder about the preciousness of human life and will assist the general population and policy makers in better understanding the obstacles we have in front of us to prevent further loss of human life. Finally, and possibly most importantly, this book provides a window into the world of suicide for practitioners across the nation who find difficulty in treating this population.

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 27, 2019

About the author

Rachel Roberts adores magic, adventure, animals, and music. Rachel is an devoted campaigner with animal rights and protection of wild places organizations. Rachel’s has been reading ever since she could first carry a book and enjoys getting lost in a fantastic story. Rachel has been a writer as well as a editor her entire career. Rachel says the majority of concepts for her stories and characters appear on lengthy hikes. She brings a little notepad, just for jotting down thoughts. Afterward at her house Rachel builds on the ideas together with feline friends, Attila and Raider. She also is in love with music, playing the piano, flute, as well as learning to play guitar.

Avalon: Web of Magic is Rachel’s very first series of novels.

Reviews

[laurie meschke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moment to self reflection

After five years with a spouse suffering from mental health issues, this memoir brought forth so many memories of experiences, decisions, and heartache. Dr. F was so honest in her reflections on the challenge of sorting through self-doubt, love, and co-dependency. Whether saying good bye through divorce or suicide, this book is a raw but supportive tool...if anything to confirm that we are not alone in loving a partner with mental health challenges. Her story allows you to interpret and apply as you feel comfortable. This is very insightful book that will be read again. Thank you, Dr. F.

[Cathryn Wellner · Rating 4 out of 5]

In writing of the years that preceded her husband's suicide, Rachel Roberts writes with admirable candour. To support someone so deeply troubled is challenging. The vortex of despair casts a whirling shadow over families and friends. Roberts takes us on the harrowing journey, writing candidly of the steps she took to safeguard herself and their children. Her grief is palpable. So is her compassion.

Roberts's experience is important and reassuring reading for anyone caught up in the nightmare of a loved one's severe depression. The suggestions she gives at the end will toss a lifeline to those struggling with both the journey and its aftermath.

[Dorothy Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worthy of Reading

I found this book to be very helpful in dealing with not only someone with a bipolar condition, but for anyone dealing with loved ones who live with serious medical conditions. I was also appalled at the difficulties she went through getting the proper medical help with no medical insurance help.