For younger people and their families, here are three (3) excellent books according to Dr. Paul G. Qinnett, an author and 40+ year expert on counseling patients with mental illness:
- When Nothing Matters Anymore: A Survival Guide for Depressed Teens–by Bev Cobain.
- Help Me, I’m Sad: Recognizing, Treating and Preventing Childhood Depression–by David Fassler.
- No One Saw My Pain: Why Teens Kill Themselves–by Andrew Slabby.
For adults and their families, Dr. Qinnet recommends these four (4) books:
- Choosing to Live–by Tom Ellis and Cory Newman. (“A science-based, self-help approach for the suicidal person to understand the source of the thinking and feelings that lead to suicidal planning, as well as a specific, step-by-step approach for recovery.”)
- Darkness Visible–by William Styron. (“A sympathetic, highly readable understanding of what it feels like to be suicidally depressed.”)
- When Going Through Hell, Don’t Stop–by David Block. (“A newer and highly informative book devoted to helping the reader understand suicidal pain and how to combat it.”)
- Night Falls Fast–by Kay Redfield Jamison. (“A perfect blend of good writing, science, and depth of information about suicide.”)