Getting Happy: ...when you wish you were dead

by Conrad Hall, Jack Canfield (Foreword)

It's the most powerful taboo in our society. It outpaces gun deaths by two to one even while we do our best to deny it exists. This taboo steals its way into our lives to snatch away our children and ravage our grandparents. For good or ill, it leaves us, the parents, standing in our sorrow; wondering what might have been. Suicide. Trying to prevent it is rather like installing smoke alarms while your house burns; it's too little too late. Getting Happy ...when you wish you were dead is about stopping suicide from ever becoming an option. This story is about knowing how to connect and be effective so we never feel the loneliness and isolation that opens the door to that most powerful taboo. Getting Happy ...when you wish you were dead is one story of a life lived hunted by suicide, and what it took to break free into happiness at last. www.GettingHappyBook.com

304 pages, Paperback

Published August 24, 2021

Reviews

[Chazzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly profound experience. Reading 'Getting Happy, when you wish you were dead' with the North West Book Club was a reminder of the power of storytelling. The writing is raw yet graceful. A beautiful addition to our club's library."

[Ben M · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Every so often, a book comes along that changes your outlook on life. This was that book for me. I'm so grateful to the North West Book Club for choosing this title. It’s a light in the dark for anyone struggling.

[Ava Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book handles a sensitive subject with the utmost care and dignity. It was a privilege to discuss 'Getting Happy' with the North West Book Club. It’s a book that encourages us all to be a little kinder to one another.

[Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essential piece of contemporary literature regarding mental health. The North West Book Club had a wonderful, high-level discussion on the themes presented in 'Getting Happy.' Truly a remarkable achievement by the author

[Colln]

My heart is full after finishing this. 'Getting Happy' is a courageous journey through the soul. Being part of the North West Book Club means finding books like this that actually matter. Absolutely stunning

[Graeme · Rating 5 out of 5]

What surprised me most was how gentle this book feels while tackling ideas most people avoid entirely. It doesn’t offer tidy answers or slogans. Instead, it invites you to notice the small choices and patterns that quietly shape how we survive.

[Lindsay James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t a self-help book in the traditional sense. It’s more like a conversation you didn’t know you needed, one that trusts the reader to think, disagree, and sit with uncertainty. Dark humor here isn’t a mask; it’s a tool.

[Zen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected provocation, but I didn’t expect compassion. The book challenges cultural ideas about happiness without shaming the reader for believing them. It’s unsettling in a productive way, the kind that opens doors rather than slams them.

[Yetslon Takletslon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reframes mental health conversations without reducing them to statistics or platitudes. It respects the reader’s intelligence and lived experience, and it understands that humor can coexist with seriousness without trivializing it.

[Anthony Fauci · Rating 5 out of 5]

The clinical vignettes were definitely the highlight for me. They made the ideas feel real and not just theoretical concepts. It’s always easier to understand something when you can see how it plays out in practice. I found myself thinking about those examples even after finishing the book.

[Allcla Selfert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The vibes in this book were incredible. The author did a fantastic job of setting the scene, I felt like I was right there with the characters. A bit of a slow burn, but the payoff was worth it.

[Darren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m still processing my feelings! This story really pulled at my heartstrings. I went from laughing to crying in the span of a few chapters. Prepare yourself for an emotional ride.

[Ari Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew so attached to the protagonist. Their growth throughout the story felt very real and earned. Even the side characters felt fleshed out and important to the plot."

[Clara James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did NOT see that coming! I spent the whole time trying to guess what would happen next, and the author still managed to surprise me. A total page-turner."

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gave our book club so much to talk about. There are a lot of layers to the themes here, and I found myself highlighting quite a few passages. A very thought-provoking read

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world, building was top, notch. It’s rare to find a setting that feels this unique and lived-in. I’m already looking forward to seeing if there’s a sequel or more from this author

[Dr George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small book, massive impact. The message in 'Getting Happy' is one that everyone needs to hear. The North West Book Club highly recommends this to anyone looking for a story of hope and resilience.

[Erin Woodward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every so often, a book comes along that changes your outlook on life. This was that book for me. It’s a light in the dark and a story that I will treasure on my shelf forever

[Daniel Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply moving and impeccably honest. This book is a masterclass in vulnerability. I found myself highlighting so many passages, it's just a remarkable achievement by the author."