Thinking About Suicide: Contemplating and comprehending the urge to die
ISBN 978 1 906254 28 5 (2010)
The literature of suicidology has studiously ignored the voice of those who actually experience suicidal feelings. David Webb suggests this is no accidental oversight but a very deliberate and systematic exclusion of this critically important first-person knowledge. The only thing that is banished with even more vigour from suicidology is mention of the spiritual wisdom that set the author free of his persistent urge to die.
Webb rejects the dominant medical model that claims suicide is caused by some notional mental illness. Thinking About Suicide calls for the broad community conversation on suicide that is required to bring it out of the closet as a public health issue.
Foreword: Valerie Walkerdine
Preface: Let’s Talk About Suicide
1. My Suicidal Career and Other Myths
2. What is it Like to be Suicidal?
3. The Drug Addiction Detour
4. The ‘Mental Illness’ Circus
Interlude: Who Am I?
5. Spiritual Self-Enquiry
6. The Willingness to Surrender
7. This Is Enough
Further Reading
Acknowledgements
… lucid, clear, and compelling … Mr Webb rightly refers to, and competently critiques, our existing mental health ‘circus’ as it relates to suicide … clearly original and significant as a scholarly contribution to our knowledge of the topic. David Jobes, Professor of Psychology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
I have never before read anything relating to suicide that speaks of suicidal feelings as being worthy of respect. The possibility that I may actually be able to honour these feelings is a totally new concept, one which has proven to be a catalyst for change and personal growth. Josephine Williams, suicide-attempt survivor, Australia
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