Reading

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul on Tough Stuff by Jack Canfield, Kimberly Kirberger and Mark Victor Hansen (Hci Teens, 2001)
Tales of survival and learning to cope with suicide and death, this book gets good reviews from teenagers on Amazon. Check out others in the series for teenagers on relationships, school etc.

Teenagers: The Agony, the Ecstasy, the Answers by Aidan Macfarlane and Ann McPherson (Time Warner, 2000)
Shows how parents view their teenagers and vice versa, in order to enable each to recognise, appreciate and understand the other's viewpoint. It highlights areas of conflict and gives advice on how to get things right by basing the answers on relevant facts derived from thorough and painstaking research.

Prozac Nation by Elizabeth Wurtzel (Quartet Books, 1996)
An account, both harrowing and amusing, of the author's dependence on Prozac, prescribed for her after a series of suicide attempts and breakdowns. She describes her experiences and her determination to get herself off medication.

Helping Your Child Cope with Depression and Suicidal Thoughts by Tonia Shamoo and Philip Patros (Jossey Bass Wiley, 1997)
Contrary to popular belief, young children get seriously depressed, and many try to kill themselves. This book helps parents learn to talk, listen, and communicate effectively with a depressed child; what situations can cause a child or adolescent to wish to commit suicide; what signs to watch for; myths and misinformation about suicide; how to determine the risk of suicide; and how to intervene.

How to Help Someone Who is Suicidal by Kate Hill and Janet Gorman (Mind Publications, 2002) £1
This very useful short booklet in the Mind 'How to' series looks at the reasons people may develop suicidal feelings, some of the warning signs and ways to help. Available to buy online from Mind.

Not Just a Cry for Help (PAPYRUS, 2001). Free from Papyrus but donations welcome.
A helpful booklet for anyone who knows someone who has made a suicide attempt. Free download from the website.

Teenage Suicide and Self-Harm by John Coleman, Juliet Lyon and Roz Piper (audiocassette and booklet, Trust for the Study of Adolescence, revised ed 2002 ) £9.95. Available from TSA by phoning 01273 693311 or E-mail: publications@tsa.uk.com.
Information and advice on suicide and self-harm. Parents and teenagers talk about their experiences.

The Samaritans' Book of What To Do When You Really Want To Help But Don't Know How by Susan Quilliam (Transformation Press, 1999) £5.99
This guide explains how to best help and support those around us who are struggling with a problem. Order from the Samaritans website.

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