Healing the Wounds of Trauma

her, but now I’m afraid that you are like the dead while you are still living. When are you going to come back?” She held Stephanie’s thin, fragile wrist in her old hands. “Why, Grandma? Why did she do that? I didn’t know she felt that way. I wasn’t there for her. I couldn’t even save my friend, Grandma!” Grandma said, “Let your tears out, dear. We may never know why Amber did it. It wasn’t your fault. Amber made her choice, and we make ours.” Stephanie cried and cried, like something had broken open inside her. Grandma said, “Anytime you want to, just come here.” Stephanie spent a lot of time at her grandma’s.They talked together and cried together. They cooked together and played games together. Little by little, Stephanie began to laugh again. After a couple years had passed, whenever she thought about Amber, Stephanie remem- bered what a wonderful friend she had been rather than thinking about how she died. ❂❂ DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. How did Amber’s suicide affect Stephanie? 2. Who was responsible for Amber’s suicide? Who felt respon- sible? Why? 3. Do you knowanyonewho has committed suicide or attempted to commit suicide?What effect did it have on their loved ones? 2. What is suicide? Suicide is taking one’s own life intentionally. It happens in all societ- ies and by all kinds of people: young and old, men and women. It can be done in many ways, but it is always intentional. If someone dies due to an overdose or self-destructive behavior without meaning to do so, this is not suicide. Sometimes people think about committing suicide and even develop detailed plans, but do not actually do it.

3. Why do people commit suicide? ❂❂ LARGE GROUP DISCUSSION Why do people commit suicide?

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Suicide