A Special Scar: The Experiences of People Bereaved by Suicide Book

Every year thousands of people take their own lives, and in some age groups suicide has become one of the leading causes of death, but what happens to their families and friends -- the survivors of suicide? Because of the stigma associated with suicide they have remained a largely hidden group, yet there are likely to be tens of thousands of new survivors annually, people whose lives have been profoundly affected by the suicide of someone close to them. This book focuses on the experiences of fifty survivors, including the parents, children, siblings, and spouses of the suicide victims. It reveals the particular problems which this group of bereaved people face: the stresses of coping with the police, post-mortems, inquests and resulting media publicity; the negative attitudes of friends and the community-at-large; the survivor's own feelings of shame and stigma, and the guilt and anger which many experience. A final chapter and resource section suggests how survivors could be more adequately and appropriately helped and supported by those around them. A Special Scar has been written for the survivors themselves and for those who may find themselves supporting them, including the family, friends, doctors, counsellors, social workers and other members of the helping organizations.Read More