Why Suicide?: Questions and Answers about Suicide, Suicide Prevention, and Coping with the Suicide of Someone You Know

“The need for this book is obvious. Why Suicide is a must read for anyone who is a student of life.”
— John Shelby Spong, author of Eternal Life: A New Vision—Beyond Religion, Beyond Theism, Beyond Heaven and Hell

Subtitled “Questions and Answers About Suicide, Suicide Prevention, and Coping with the Suicide of Someone You Know,” Why Suicide? by Eric Marcus is an important, non-judgmental guide that bestselling author Jonathan Kellerman calls, “compassionate, informative, and insightful.” Anyone whose life has been dramatically touched by this most shattering occurrence can find answers and solace in this extraordinary book.

In a completely revised and updated edition of the landmark original Why Suicide ?, Eric Marcus offers thoughtful answers to scores of questions about this complex, painful issue, from how to recognize the signs of someone who is suicidal to strategies for coping in the aftermath of a loved one's death.

No matter what the circumstances, those of us who are affected by suicide are left with difficult and disturbing questions:

• Why did they do it?
• Was it my fault?
• What should I tell people when they ask what happened?
• Is someone who attempts suicide likely to try again?
• What should I do if I'm thinking of killing myself?

Drawing from his own experience, as well as interviews with people who have been touched by suicide, Eric Marcus cuts through the veil of silence and misunderstanding to bring clarity, reassurance, and comfort to those who so desperately need it.

No matter what the circumstances, those of us who are touched at some point in life by suicide are left with difficult, disturbing, and seemingly unanswerable questions. Whether you’re struggling in the aftermath of a loved one’s suicide, worried about a depressed child’s risk, or concerned about your own feelings of not wanting to live, Why Suicide offers thoughtful and straightforward answers to scores of questions about this complex and painful issue.