For I am conscious of my thoughts about you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you hope at the end. Jeremiah 29:11

Every Seventeen Minutes, Someone, Somewhere Chooses Death

In the wake of this horrific decision, people are left behind…people like you. They are wives who needed their husbands, children who depended on their mothers, parents who loved their teenager, and friends who never saw it coming. Millions of lives are affected annually when individuals around the globe from all socio-economic levels, ethnic groups, and religions decide suicide is the only viable option. Left behind are the survivors.

So, where do you go from here? How do you escape the feelings of guilt, fear, frustration, abandonment, and anger? How do you begin to heal and rebuild your life? Although suicide is a devastating life crisis, you can recover and go on. AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide is a resource to help you start the process. This book contains stories of real people who are survivors of suicide. Read of their losses, struggles, and triumphs. Learn from others who have journeyed the path you are on now – a path not of your own choosing. AFTERSHOCK will aid you in processing the complicated emotions surrounding suicide. It will encourage you and remind you that you are not alone in your grief.

Perhaps your connection to suicide is not the personal loss of a loved one, but you want to understand and minister to someone dealing with a suicide loss. AFTERSHOCK will give you practical ways to help. Or maybe you are concerned that someone you care about is suicidal. AFTERSHOCK will provide clues to suicidal thought patterns and behaviors so you can act as an intervener or know when you need to get in touch with professionals. If you need immediate help, call 1-800-784-2433 – National Hopeline or www.hopeline.com.

While AFTERSHOCK is primarily a tool to help the families and friends of suicide victims cope, it also provides practical information on grief, forgiveness, and fear. These topics are applicable to anyone, not just those coping with a suicide loss. Additionally, AFTERSHOCK is a resource for those interested in identifying depression and intervening with suicidal individuals.

© David W. Cox and Candy Neely Arrington. Used by permission.  www.healingaftersuicide.com.

Suicide Warning Signs
A Survivor's Story
Healing after Suicide
Be There for Survivors