Child Suicide -- A Supportive Resource For Families

The suicide of a child devastates families and yet it is becoming increasingly common. Child Suicide is a new supportive resource for bereaved families, established by writer Jan Andersen, whose 20-year-old son committed suicide in November 2002.

Child Suicide (http://www.childsuicide.homestead.com) is a supportive resource for parents, grandparents and siblings who have lost a child, grandchild, brother or sister to the tragedy of suicide. The website was launched on 29 April 2003 by Swindon writer Jan Andersen, after her 20-year-old son died in November 2002 following an intentional Heroin overdose. He left two suicide notes.

Jan says, When Kristian first died, I felt completely isolated in my grief. I didnt realise then how common youth suicide was. So many surviving families are silenced by the stigma surrounding suicide and the fear of lack of understanding from others.

As a result of Kristians tragic death, I wanted to create a supportive resource for people around the world who have suffered a similar tragedy. Child Suicide is a place where people can come and share their pain, anger and all the complicated emotions that follow the suicide of a loved one, without being judged. Interacting with other suicide survivors who can empathise with their pain will hopefully help them to ease their way through the excruciatingly painful and difficult days, weeks and years ahead."

The site contains articles and links to supportive organisations, areas where visitors can publish their personal stories, poems and photos of their lost children, a message forum and chat room. There are also links to resources dealing with depression and bullying and articles for people who want to know what to do if someone they know is feeling suicidal.

Jan continues, I also wanted to create a portal for parents to find the help that they need if are worried that their children may be suffering from depression. 80% of child and teenage depression goes undiagnosed, because what parents and teachers often regard as insignificant problems, can seem insurmountable to a child or teenager. Parents need to take their children seriously and listen to their concerns, however trivial they may seem. It might possibly save their life."

Jan is currently writing a candid, heart-rending and enlightening book about the impact of suicide on the surviving families entitled, Chasing Death". The book will be available through the site later this year.

She concludes, Kristian had so much compassion and always forgave others, no matter what they did to him. Its just a shame that he couldnt forgive himself. The healing process will last a lifetime, but part of it is helping others. That's the best gift I can give and I know that it is something that Kristian would have wanted me to do."

For further information, please contact:
Jan Andersen
E-Mail: worldwriteruk@hotmail.com