Finding Your Way after the Suicide of Someone You Love

by David B. Biebel, Suzanne L. Foster

Overview

Help and Hope for an Unexpected Journey

Do real Christians commit suicide? Yes, they do. And for those left behind, the journey following such a tragedy is unbearably painful.

Finding Your Way after the Suicide of Someone You Love is a compassionate and practical guide that addresses the intensely personal issues of survivors of suicide (SOS). This gentle and faith-affirming resource helps survivors know what to expect, especially during the first year following a suicide. It includes personal stories of survivors and suggestions on how to move beyond survival to live life again. Designed for use by individuals, couples, and SOS groups, this book offers help for parents, siblings, friends, and extended families, as well as practical guidelines for pastors, Christian counselors, and other church leaders.

Topics include:

• What to do in the immediate aftermath of a suicide
• Handling guilt and understanding the role of depression in suicides
• Dealing with questions of faith and meaning
• Creating a support system
• Choosing a Christian therapist
• Trusted resources and websites

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780310257578
Publisher:	Zondervan
Publication date:	06/14/2005
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.38(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.49(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

David B. Biebel, holds the Doctor of Ministry degree in Personal Wholeness from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He has authored or co-authored more than a dozen books, including New Light on Depression; Jonathan, You Left Too Soon, If God Is So Good, Why Do I Hurt So Bad? plus the companion volume How to Help a Heartbroken Friend. He resides in Colorado.

Suzanne L. Foster is a licensed Marriage and Family therapist and holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is currently a Social Worker for the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency. Since 1997 she has worked with the San Diego Chapter of SOS (Survivors of Suicide), where she has served as a support group facilitator and is currently a member of the organization’s speakers bureau.

Table of Contents

Contents 1. Why? Why? Why? 9 2. Wandering and Wondering 21 3. Guilt, the Blight of Broken Hearts 35 4. The Wall 47 5. Depression, the Scourge of Broken Hearts 61 6. Preserving Relationships in the Aftermath of Suicide 79 7. Suicide Survival in Special Situations 91 8. After the Suicide of Your Brother or Sister 105 9. Questions That Remain 117 10. Survival—and Beyond 133 11. Embracing Your New Normal 147 Supplemental Chapter: How to Help Survivors of Suicide 165 Appendix 1 Depression Self-Check 173 Appendix 2 Starting Over:Weaving New Dreams Together 175 Appendix 3 Choosing a Christian Therapist: Suggestions and Guidelines 179 Notes 181 Resources and Recommended Reading 187