Silent grief : living in the wake of suicide / Christopher Lukas and Henry M. Seiden.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 214-216) and index.

Introduction: Lukas's story -- What happens to the survivor after someone commits suicide -- Emotional reactions to suicide -- A family's story -- The bargain : a deal we make with life -- Bargains : the long good-bye -- Bargains : scapegoating -- Bargains : "I am guilty; I am a victim" -- Bargains : cutting off -- Bargains : a miscellany -- The saddest bargain : "because you died, I'll die" -- The grand bargain : silence -- Reactions to an adolescent's suicide -- Responding -- Giving help by listening -- Getting help by talking -- Talking with children -- Living with suicide : some stories about responding -- Epilogue: Lukas's story : a personal summary.

Introduction: Lukas's story -- What happens to the survivor after someone commits suicide -- Emotional reactions to suicide -- A family's story -- The bargain : a deal we make with life -- Bargains : the long good-bye -- Bargains : scapegoating -- Bargains : "I am guilty; I am a victim" -- Bargains : cutting off -- Bargains : a miscellany -- The saddest bargain : "because you died, I'll die" -- The grand bargain : silence -- Reactions to an adolescent's suicide -- Responding -- Giving help by listening -- Getting help by talking -- Talking with children -- Living with suicide : some stories about responding -- Epilogue: Lukas's story : a personal summary.

Pt. 1. The short term : "what's happening to me?" -- Introduction : Lukas's story -- 1. What happens to the survivor after someone commits suicide -- 2. Emotional reactions to suicide -- 3. A family's story -- Pt. 2. The long run : "what's going to happen to me?" -- 4. The bargain : a deal we make with life -- 5. Bargains : the long good-bye -- 6. Bargains : scapegoating -- 7. Bargains : "I am guilty; I am a victim" -- 8. Bargains : cutting off -- 9. Bargains : a miscellany -- 10. The saddest bargain : "because you died, I'll die" -- 11. The grand bargain : silence -- 12. Reactions to an adolescent's suicide -- Pt. 3. Giving help and getting help : listening and talking -- 13. Responding -- 14. Giving help by listening -- 15. Getting help by talking -- 16. Talking with children -- 17. Living with suicide : some stories about responding -- Epilogue - Lukas's story : a personal summary -- App. Where to find self-help groups.

"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. Christopher Lukas is a suicide survivor himself - several members of his family have taken their own lives - and the book draws on his experiences, as well as those of numerous other suicide survivors. These personal testimonies are combined with the professional expertise of Dr. Henry M. Seiden, a psychologist and psychoanalytic psychotherapist."--BOOK JACKET.