Straight Talk About Teenage Suicide - Hardcover

Frankel, Bernard, Ph.D.; Kranz, Rachel

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0816029873 ISBN 13: 9780816029877

Publisher: Facts on File, 1994

Synopsis

Provides teenagers with information and tools to help recognize, understand, talk about, and cope with stress, depression, and suicidal thoughts in themselves as well as in others

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 7-12-A well-researched, articulate, insightful treatment of "a rising epidemic" that offers composite case histories of teens at risk. Although readers are cautioned that each situation is different, suicide is portrayed as a choice made in order to solve problems rather than a wish to end one's life. Topics covered include "cluster" suicides, myths, danger signals, and appropriate responses by peers. Also discussed is the effect on teens of the communal rootlessness and personal isolation of contemporary society and of the "Happy All the Time" philosophy, which pressures them to repress feelings of unhappiness. The authors urge those with thoughts of suicide to seek professional help. This is an excellent contribution to the body of literature on the subject. The measured tone, clear style, and plausible explanations and theories cut across the public atmosphere of hysteria and misconception. Another fine book that delves deeper into social history is Cynthia Lewis's Teen Suicide (Enslow, 1994). Stephen Flanders's Suicide (Facts on File, 1991) is primarily for reference. Two other useful titles are Margaret Hyde and Elizabeth Forsyth's Suicide (Watts, 1991) and Sandra Gardner and Gary Rosenberg's Teenage Suicide (Messner, 1986).
Libby K. White, Schenectady County Public Library, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews:

This most helpful addition to the literature on teen suicide keeps calm, provides forthright information, and, more than earlier books, concentrates on loss as a precursor to suicidal feelings and acts. Cross-cultural examination is here, too; e.g., in Japan suicide is often felt to be preferable to living in shame. A particular strength is the repeated return to several teenagers' stories to make specific points. Other unusual inclusions are sexual secrets as a trigger, advice on overcoming isolation and depression, and a list of debunked myths. (It is true, however, that April is the month with the highest suicide rate -- if even the advent of spring doesn't help, people lose hope.) This smoothly written balance of statistics and psychology is also incisively expressive. State-by-state list of resources; bibliography; index. (Nonfiction. 12+) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Facts on File
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0816029873
• ISBN 13: 9780816029877
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 138