Over the past three years, I have personally encountered suicide more than a dozen times. As many of you know, I began this year with research for writing a book to help those who have experienced someone they care about taking their own life.
As I collected and read these heartbreaking stories, the plan for the year took an unexpected turn.
I thought, “What better way to honor these survivors and their loved ones than to write something that could be used to prevent others from taking their own lives?”
As a result, I’m now in the process of writing five books this year. The first four are designed for suicide prevention. The final book will be for those battling the aftermath of suicide.
Today, I wanted to share with you about the next four books that will be coming out.
Living on the Edge (2 editions, one for teens).
- A brief book (less than 40 pages) describing the pain of life and how to deal with it.
- I address the issue of suicide head on and share how to deal with suicidal thoughts.
- I talk about how lies we’ve been fed and believed along the way can keep us stuck.
- I address how to expose these lies and then replace them with the truth.
- The overall goal of the book is to give readers pause from self-harming thoughts and to stir hope.
Difference Maker (again, 2 editions, one for teens)
- A follow-up book to Living on the Edge for those who want go deeper and learn to live as the Difference Makers they were designed to be.
- I continue to expose the common lies we tend to swallow and share how to replace them with corresponding truths.
- Suicide and suicidal thinking are again directly addressed.
- I share how to effectively process loss and then use grief as fuel for good.
- I help readers discover their why – their mission and purpose in life. I talk about things that can hinder this process (mission busters) and what can help (mission builders).
- The overall goal of the book is to challenge readers to move from merely surviving to living life with passion and purpose.
The goal of these four books together is to save lives and turn potential self-harm into purposeful, service-oriented living.
All four of these books are slated to be released between mid-May and late July.
The fifth book dealing with suicide grief is currently in the planning stage, with a target release date of mid-November.
I need your help!
Now that target release dates have been set, we need to effectively launch these books and get the word out.
I am putting together a dynamic, committed group of people who want to support this effort by reading Living on the Edge and Difference Maker before their respective release dates.
If this is something that interests you, don’t hesitate. Respond “yes” in the comment section, and I’ll get back to you shortly with more info.
I’m excited about these resources and their potential for good. Together, we can make a huge difference.
If we’re willing, I believe our losses can be used to make us more loving, compassionate, and effective than ever.
We can save lives and give hope, even while hurting.
Question: Have you been touched by suicide? Leave a comment and tell us how.
Yes, I just acquired the position of Bereavement Coordinator + the Chaplain job that I have been doing for the last 6 years for St Anthony’s hospice here in Henderson KY. I graduated from DTS 1997 MACE, I really want to help people walk through their grief what ever the loss. So I am gaining incite and learning about being a student of grief. Thanks for your help
Hi Thomas. Thanks so much for commenting. I just sent you an email. Thanks for all you are doing. You’re making more of a difference than you know. Blessings, my friend!
Yes! My daughter lost her battle with depression, bipolar and bullying today would have been her 33rd birthday. She has been gone for 4 years. I’m very interested in your books.
Here is my daughters story
https://pickingupthepieces63.wordpress.com/2017/04/30/my-daughter-jessica/
Hi Julie. Thanks so much for sharing this. I’m so sorry about Jessica. And today is a special day. If there’s anything I can do for you, please let me know. Blessings to you, Julie.
Yes!
Hi Amy. Thank you! Email is on its way…
This past week I have been having many suicidal thoughts! Haven’t wanted to live in this pain without my mom. Don’t want to hurt like this for the rest of my life. Thought maybe previewing your books might help me.
HI JoAnn. I’ll send you an email right away. I’m so sorry. What a challenge. I’ll say more in the email. Please commit yourself to reaching out to someone when this happens. Praying for you now…
Yes – my husband passed away one year ago. I have attended Griefshare and Spark of Life and now lead Griefshare. Your books were tremendously helpful too!
Hi Jan. I’m so sorry about your husband. Thank you for grieving well and for then serving others. Bless you! I just sent you an email. See what you think. Blessings to you…
Yes. I am currently in a situation where, after my husband’s death, I am completely alone and with health problems myself. I have no purpose, though I’ve tried to find it. Right now I have nothing to live for. I exist each day waiting and hoping for the day it will be over. Your books helped me immensely with my grief. I would love the chance to follow you in help for my life.
Hi Connie. I’m so sorry. That “purposeless” feeling can really hit us once the loss settles in at deeper levels. And all the extra challenges contribute to it too. Ugh. Hopefully you got an email from me about the launch team. If not, I’ll get one on the way pronto. Blessings to you…
Yes
HI Lisa. I’ll have an email on its way soon. See what you think…Thanks!
Yes. My 32 year old son took his life 5 years ago. He was diagnosed with major clinical depression 2 years prior to his death.
Hi Denise. Thank you for sharing. I’m so sorry. How painful and traumatic. I can’t imagine. Thanks for your willingness to help. An email is on its way…
Yes. Suicide is at an all time high in the area I live in.
I facilitate a GriefShare group locally.
Hi Jo. Thanks so much! And thanks for what you do with GriefShare! An email is on its way…
Yes Gary!
Hi Carolyn. Thank you! An email will be on its way soon…
Yes! What a great idea! I think you are definitely on to something.
Hi Joy. Thank you! I’ll be sending an email to you shortly!
Yes, I’d like to read them prior to release. This has hit too close to home a few times. I have a girlfriend who’s son died by suicide at 17. I believe in being equipped. We never know when we will be the light house to a soul in distress. Thank you for all you do. You are a blessing!
Hi Loretta. Oh no. I’m so sorry. And yes, I too think we need to be ready – with at least some simple but good resources at our disposal. You’ll be getting an email from me soon. Thanks!
Yes
Hi Wanda. Thank you. You’ll be getting an email from me soon!
Yes
Hi Dottie. Thanks. I’ll be sending an email soon!
Yes. I am grateful that you are doing this series, as I have shared with you that I have survived my attempts and want to help others who are fighting this battle.
Thank you, Julie. I’m looking forward to what we can do together to stem this tide somehow. May every little effort count and lives be saved…
Yes… I lead grief support groups and have had several people dealing with death by suicide both in adult and teen life.
I known 3 people in my family that completed suicide.
I am also now teaching 2 groups in a ‘life lessons’ pod at our county jail. One of my goals is to lead them in suicide prevention. Our community has also had several teen suicides.
Hi Debbie. Oh my. Thank you for all you are doing. Bless you. Just sent you an email. Some of the questions you’ve already answered here. Thank you. Would love to have you on board!
Yes. Gary, I live in Alaska and the suicide rate among the Alaska Native youth is appalling. I am in hopes that your book touches on cultural issues that contribute to suicide in the American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
HI Bonnie. Thanks for commenting. The books don’t addresses specific cultural issues, but they do address the thought processes that lead down the road to self-harming behavior that are common to most teens (and adults – in the adult version). The goal is to give the reader pause, cause them to think, and reach out and involve someone else. Hope that helps! Thanks for your heart for this. I believe we can make a real difference here.
It’s been both our faith in God and specifically her knowing God loves her. With God’s help I’ve taught her to be “real” with what she’s feeling, thinking, hearing.
As her mother, I can see the signs when she’s approaching the edge that manifest through isolation, weariness.
I then pray and ask her to share with me matters of her heart regardless of how she communicates it.
Thank you for sharing this. Well done! Being available and open is huge. Way to go, mom! And yes…our faith makes such a massive difference. Being able to real and authentic with God and a few other people is a key to feel safe and to healing. Thank you!
My daughter have battled with suicide since she was a teenager.
God taught me how to teach her the “signs” when she’s approaching the edge- which is coming to the end before getting to the ledge which is desired willingness to end it.
Your are God sent. God sent his balm of healing through your ministry of applicable healing to a hurting world.
Hi Retina. Thank you for sharing this. So often, we’re not aware of the changes happening in us, but those close to us can see them. You helping her be aware of what’s happening is huge. Praying for you now. And thank you for your encouragement. Glad we’re in this together!
yes
Hi Peggi. Thanks! I’ll have an email to you with more info by the end of the day.
Will the adult edition address young adult issues (in their mid-late 20s; early 30’s) as their stressors are typically quite different than older adults; especially as they finish college and move into the “adult” world? This group often seems left behind, yet have so many challenges in today’s world
HI Lori. Thanks for commenting and asking this. Both adult edition books address the typical lies we often believe – many of which we’re unaware of – that drive us slowly but surely to the brink. The books address how to shift our thinking, which often a result of whatever stage of life we’re in and whatever we’ve experienced and are experiencing. You’re right – there are unique stressors at each stage of life. I believe young adults will be able to relate very well to the material, though specific issues such as launching into the working world, college streeses, etc. are not specifically addressed. I hope that helps…
Yes.
HI Susan. Thank you! I’ll have an email to you with more info by the end of the day.
My 24 year old son completed suicide 4 years ago after becoming addicted to heroin. His lack of hope for treatment and rehabilitation ultimately took his life.
Hi Ed. Oh no. I’m so sorry. Loss of hope is a terrible thing. If there’s anything I can do for you, please let me know. Thank you for sharing.
Yes
Thanks Tammy. I’ll have an email to you with more info by the end of the day.