GRIEVING A SUICIDE:
A loved one’s search for comfort, answers
and hope
By Albert. Y. Hsu
IVP. 222 pages. £9.99
ISBN 978 1 783 595 754
The expanded, second edition of Grieving a Suicide is a poignant and helpful insight into understanding the trauma of suicide. As a ‘suicide survivor’ himself (i.e. someone who has lost a loved one to suicide) it is a heart-rending picture of the reality of the permanently changed life which results.
Albert uses the tragic loss of his father, as well as other testimonies from suicide survivors, to express the shock, turmoil and questions over their loss. The conflicting emotions of denial and sorrow with anger are commonly felt in many bereavements. However, the suicide of a loved one presents unique aspects of grief. Personal betrayal, isolation, shame, the fear that they themselves may have a genetic disposition and, for the believer, an array of questions around Scripture and who God is.
Through the lens of Scripture
The author balances facts about the sad realities of suicide with practical advice on what things are helpful (or exceedingly unhelpful) in supporting someone who has lost a loved one to suicide. He also provides a sensitive look at suicide through the lens of Scripture, which answers many of the difficult questions.
As Hsu addresses relinquishment and remembrance of lost loved ones, he provides much-needed hope for the bereaved, helping them to lament and focus grief in the proper direction, outwards and upwards towards God.
He emphasises the importance of the church seeking better understanding about the complexity of mental health issues. Also provided is a list of questions for reflection and discussion based on each chapter, which he suggests could be used for either personal reflection or group discussion.
This book is an extremely valuable resource for anyone who has been personally affected by the tragedy of suicide, or for those supporting a suicide survivor.
