Every body has their own ups and downs, twists and turns, and trials, tribulations and triumphs. The quote below places a spotlight on suicide and the slow process when a person allows their resources to break down and feels there is no hope of living a happy life.
Getting Through It: A Workbook for Suicide Survivors, written by Nancy Marshall, M.A., L.P.C., provides an understanding of suicide and its impact and gives the reader clear strategies to cope and heal. In reviewing the book, I found that many of the strategies are useful for those experiencing different types of loss, not just suicide. It is written simply without psycho-babble.
Getting Through It: A Workbook for Suicide Survivors, written by Nancy Marshall, M.A., L.P.C., provides an understanding of suicide and its impact and gives the reader clear strategies to cope and heal. In reviewing the book, I found that many of the strategies are useful for those experiencing different types of loss, not just suicide. It is written simply without psycho-babble.
Suicide is both impulsive and the result of the long, slow break down in a person's resources.
Suicide is at a 30-year high in according to the NY Times. This is sad news indeed.
I was inspired to post about suicide, and the book, Getting Through It: A Workbook for Suicide Survivors, written by Nancy Marshall, M.A., L.P.C..
Many of us know someone either directly or indirectly who took their own life. I do.
My father's cousin was a beautiful, accomplished, fashionable, progressive, professional in her 50's who shot herself in the head. Shocking right? I was just a kid when it happened.
I loved Cousin Helen for her kindness. I remember visiting her in the 1970's in Washington D.C., where she was held an important position at the FBI. She gave us a tour of the FBI and we also visited the White House and the Smithsonian.
She had a boxer named Dukey Boy and I remember saying "Look into my eyes Dukey Boy and what do you see?" much to the horror of my parents - since you never are suppose to get that close to a dog's face and have a staring contest.
I was inspired to post about suicide, and the book, Getting Through It: A Workbook for Suicide Survivors, written by Nancy Marshall, M.A., L.P.C..
Many of us know someone either directly or indirectly who took their own life. I do.
My father's cousin was a beautiful, accomplished, fashionable, progressive, professional in her 50's who shot herself in the head. Shocking right? I was just a kid when it happened.
I loved Cousin Helen for her kindness. I remember visiting her in the 1970's in Washington D.C., where she was held an important position at the FBI. She gave us a tour of the FBI and we also visited the White House and the Smithsonian.
She had a boxer named Dukey Boy and I remember saying "Look into my eyes Dukey Boy and what do you see?" much to the horror of my parents - since you never are suppose to get that close to a dog's face and have a staring contest.
Cousin Helen. Mom & that's me to the right Cousin Helen visited us at our summer house in Cape Cod and she would get an extra soft ice cream for her dog. I have many fond memories of Cousin Helen. I used to write letters to Cousin Helen and she would write back. I'd really look forward to those letters. Then her letters became less frequently and then they stopped coming all together. I remember feeling a little hurt. Then the news came. My mother asked me to sit down as she broke the news. I knew before she quietly said, "I have some bad news about Cousin Helen." As a 5 or 6 year old how do you process suicide?
What I Like About this Workbook For Suicide Survivors
What I like about the workbook is that it takes the reader through a process. There are 6 chapters.
Chapter 1 is focuses on the emotions that we experience: anger, guilt, loneliness, shock, confusion, numbness, fatigue and so on. Chapter 2 takes these emotional considerations deeper using the analogy of being a seagull coming about from an oil spill, tarred and feathered. Chapter 3 is entitled, "Being Better, Treating Trauma and Achieving Forgiveness." Chapter 4 is about how to help children. I give kudos to my Mom; her instincts were spot-on and she was truthful and gentle, telling me in a safe place and making it safe to ask questions and share memories about Cousin Helen. Chapter 5 focuses on practical things like funeral and financial arrangements and Chapter 6 focuses on prevention. Nancy Marshall, the author, has facilitated groups for suicide survivors for eight years and her experience as a clinician with 35 years of experience is invaluable to the reader.
Chapter 1 is focuses on the emotions that we experience: anger, guilt, loneliness, shock, confusion, numbness, fatigue and so on. Chapter 2 takes these emotional considerations deeper using the analogy of being a seagull coming about from an oil spill, tarred and feathered. Chapter 3 is entitled, "Being Better, Treating Trauma and Achieving Forgiveness." Chapter 4 is about how to help children. I give kudos to my Mom; her instincts were spot-on and she was truthful and gentle, telling me in a safe place and making it safe to ask questions and share memories about Cousin Helen. Chapter 5 focuses on practical things like funeral and financial arrangements and Chapter 6 focuses on prevention. Nancy Marshall, the author, has facilitated groups for suicide survivors for eight years and her experience as a clinician with 35 years of experience is invaluable to the reader.
My brothers, Cousin Helen & that's me with Dukey Boy.
Editor's Note:
I hope this article inspires others to take better care of themselves
and invest in their emotional well-being.
I hope this article inspires others to take better care of themselves
and invest in their emotional well-being.
If You Or Someone You Know Needs Help
There are many resources if you or someone you know is in crisis.
The National Institute of Mental Health recommends http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.
The National Institute of Mental Health recommends http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.
- If you prefer texting, Crisis Text Line provides free help - just text "help" to 741-741
- If you want receive help by phone, N.I.H. recommends the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
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