Suicidal: Why We Kill Ourselves Hardcover – October 30, 2018

I have a personal reason for reading this book - we lost our son to suicide totally unexpectedly, without warnings, 16 months ago. The loss has devasted us and turned our own existence into a painful struggle. We had no idea that our son was suffering, let alone that he was suicidal. The appearance he presented was totally misleading. He was a young, highly functioning professional with a lot of friends. He was good looking, athletic and talented. He always appeared to be in control. His suicide was a shock to all. How could we all be so wrong?Jesse Bering’s book confirmed so many things that I have come up with during my own 16 months “psychological autopsy” and “trying to get into my son’s head”. There were certain traits that contributed to my son’s death. As Jesse lists some of them: perfectionism-check, sensitivity-check, very high standards for himself and blaming himself - check. Propensity for depression, combined with numerous situational stressors that created a perfect storm -check. Having a gun as Jesse points out, and I agree, was a recipe for disaster.I found chapter 4 on Roy Baumeister’s stages in which the individual moves from one degree of suicidality on to the next immensely valuable, particularly from the perspective that it is here where the deadly cycle can be broken. I actually reread this part and will be rereading many parts of the book.Another well-illustrated point is what Edwin Shneidman calls “psychache”. The case of Vic, a young girl who took her own life is particularly painful to read. Her writings are so beautiful and haunting.As Jesse points out, this is not a suicide prevention book. His hope is that it might help people better understand the problem and maybe recognize some of the signs and deal with them.After reading the book, I feel solidarity with the author, Jesse Bering. His sincerity and sharing of his personal struggles make me feel that we are in the same boat. In his outstanding book, Heavens on Earth, Michael Shermer writes about a staggering level of complexity produced by 85 billion of neurons in a human brain, each with about a thousand synaptic links, for a total of 100 trillion connections. I can’t help but think that somehow those 85 billion neurons and 100 trillion connections also account for the commonalties that we share as human beings. Though each suicide seems to be different, the commonalities are extremely important clues for dealing and hopefully understanding and solving the problem.Did Jesse’s book provide answers to all the questions? No, and Jesse himself acknowledges that. But he certainly went along this long, dark, seemingly endless hall with seemingly endless doors and he unlocked many of them one by one. And I hope that he doesn't stop here.. Luckily, Jesse is not alone on this hall. There are others doing the same.I found Jesse’s book so valuable that I will give a copy to people I know who are interested in understanding the subject better.

Bering is one of my favorite authors and he doesn't disappoint with "Suicidal." As he makes clear from the beginning, this book is his attempt to make sense of suicide and hopefully provide others with a guide to help prevent future suicides. It is his hope that the information he provides can be a roadblock to those having suicidal thoughts as well as helpful to those interested in suicide and suicide prevention.Bering accepts Roy Baumeister's model of the steps leading up to suicide and dedicates a whole chapter to a case study. Although some might say that the book isn't exhaustive enough, I'd agree but I don't believe Bering's aim was an exhaustive, academic tome on suicide. Suicide, Bering makes clear, is a complicated topic but the more we know about it, the better we are at identifying those that are suicidal.Witty, engaging, and informative, "Suicidal" is for all those concerned about suicide.

A deep dive into a taboo topic with a good mix of personal reflections from the author and reviews of relevant prior research. Jesse Bering's approach to the topic is balanced and respectful, always engaging, and sometimes somehow humorous. I'm grateful for the perspective he offers which has genuinely changed the way I look at suicidal ideation.

I have spent the last 17 months reading everything I can find to help me rationalize & somehow try to understand the most painful & complicated event that made my world stop....why did my son Skyler, at the age of 23, take his life and no one saw it coming?This book has helped me see this tragedy through another set of eyes, it helped me to indicate more pieces of this puzzle that will never have all the pieces bundled nicely in a sealed tight bag. Thank you.

Jesse Bering’s, “Suicidal: Why We Kill Ourselves”, offers a wide lens in which to delve into and begin to explore the taboo and sensitive topic of suicide. Bering states, there is a suicidal person in all of us, which can be a very alarming and dark thought. However, through analyzing research and breaking the topic down from many angles and perspectives, this book has somehow made the intimidating topic of the suicidal mind approachable. Bering’s personal thread is woven through the book, which compliments the narrative and manages to add, unexpectedly, bits of lightness and humor. This book can’t help but start many of the conversations that we need to have about suicide, and give insight to the suicidal person in all of us; and hopefully, provide us tools and awareness to be more understanding of this difficult issue.

A good read on a hard subject. I learned a ton and enjoyed reading it. It handled the difficult subject masterfully with humor and brilliant writing

A little glib for such a serious subject, but excellent, up-to-date research. Jesse Bering has written a much needed, factual discussion that is essential for any suicide survivor.

Why is what was asked of me numerous times from my nieces when their father took his life. This book has given me some answers.

Item as per description and arrived within speculated time. However, it would've been nice if they could provide tracking number.