STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT TEENAGE SUICIDE

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.