This book gives insights into the pain and suffering involved when
people are grieving for someone who has committed suicide, but it also
offers hope without diminishing the significance of the suffering
involved. As such, it has a lot to offer, and is therefore to be
welcomed.'
- Well-Being
'This book provides deep and valuable insight into the experiences of
suicide survivors - those who have been left behind by the suicide of
friend, family member or loved one.'
- Therapy Today
'The personal stories are full of pathos interest and will clarify where
the death leaves those left behind. The list of self-help groups is
world wide and it will be useful that you can point the bereaved and
traumatized in the right direction.'
- Accident and Emergency Nursing Journal
'The authors describe powerfully the effect of suicide on survivors and
the world of silence, shame, guilt and depression that can follow.
Author Christopher Lake is a suicide survivor and co-author Henry Seiden
is an experienced therapist and educator.
They use sensitive and unambiguous language to provide an understanding
of what it is like to live in the wake of suicide and the struggle to
make sense of the world. They also look at how survivors might actively
respond to their situation, rather than being passive victims. This book
should be read by any professional who is likely to come into contact
with people affected by suicide.'
- Nursing Standard, October 2007
'The book is well written and relevant to both survivors and
professionals concerned for the welfare of those bereaved by suicide.'
- SOBS (Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide) Newsletter
'Silent grief is a book for and about suicide survivors, defined as
people who have experienced the death of a friend or relative through
suicide, and for anyone who wants to understand what survivors go
through. The book explains the profound, traumatic effect suicide has on
individuals bereaved in such circumstances. Using verbatim quotes from
survivors it explains how they experience feelings of shame, guilt,
anger, doubt, isolation and depression. This book provides good insight
into the experience of individuals affected by suicide and can be a
useful resource to anybody working with such people - be it prisoners
who have lost someone close through suicide or the family of a prisoner
following a self-inflicted death in prison.
- National Offender Management Service. Safer Custody News. Safer
Custody Group. May/June 2007
Silent Grief is a book for and about suicide survivors - those who have
been left behind by the suicide of a friend or loved one.
Author Christopher Lukas is a suicide survivor himself - several members
of his family have taken their own lives - and the book draws on his own
experiences, as well as those of numerous other suicide survivors. These
inspiring personal testimonies are combined with the professional
expertise of Dr. Henry M. Seiden, a psychologist and psychoanalytic
psychotherapist.
The authors present information on common experiences of bereavement,
grief reactions and various ways of coping. Their message is that it is
important to share one's experience of survival with others and they
encourage survivors to overcome the perceived stigma or shame associated
with suicide and to seek support from self-help groups, psychotherapy,
family therapy, Internet support forums or simply a friend or family
member who will listen.
This revised edition has been fully updated and describes new forms of
support including Internet forums, as well as addressing changing
societal attitudes to suicide and an increased willingness to discuss
suicide publicly.
Silent Grief gives valuable insights into living in the wake of suicide
and provides useful strategies and support for those affected by a
suicide, as well as professionals in the field of psychology, social
work, and medicine.
