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My Uncle Keith Died

by Carol Ann Loehr with Julianne Cosentino, Author of Discussion Guide; Illustrated by James Mojonnier

22 pages; Saddle stitched; contains colour illustrations; catalogue #06-2019; ISBN 1-4251-0262-x; US$12.00, C$13.80, EUR9.86, £6.90

Should suicide touch our lives, children naturally have questions‹whether verbalized or not. How will we answer their questions? This book provides vital support for parents and professionals.

About the Book

In the United States suicide is the third leading cause of death for those between the ages of 10 and 24 and the second leading cause of death for American college students.

The children's book, My Uncle Keith Died describes the symptoms of depression. It also helps children understand why a depressed person may not seek help. By reading Cody's questions and his mother's answers about his uncle's death, young readers will learn what to do if someone they know shows signs of depression. Early detection, intervention, and treatment for depression are critical for preventing suicides.

Included is a discussion guide written by Julianne Cosentino, which will help parents and professionals deal with the type of questions children are likely to ask when their lives have been touched by suicide.

To Listen to the August 16 radio talk show, Healing the Grieving Heart with Drs. Gloria & Heide Horsley Press the Link Here

Reviews

When a family member or close friend dies by suicide, the wake left behind is indescribable. The pain, the grief, the guilt, and the "what ifs" become constant unshakable realities which fade over time but never seem to completely vanish. When my brother and very close friend who suffered from severe depression died of suicide 22 years ago at the age of 45, it was a crushing and overwhelming shock. A wonderful family, a wife and three children, were left to live through and somehow process this tragedy. If Carol Ann Loehr’s book had been available then, it would have been a valuable resource for the children as well as the adults in our family.

Carol has managed to explain in very simple and understandable terms how severe depression is a leading cause of suicide. We are taken through this process with her grand nephew, Cody, who is featured as the catalyst in exploring why her son, Keith, died of suicide. She approaches this subject in a very sensitive, creative, and respectful fashion.

As one who has been there and knows the aftermath of suicide and the need for quality resources at such a time, I highly recommend this book to those who are struggling with the inevitable questions that come. It is very appropriately written for children and is an effective tool for adults as well.

Pastor Jeff Moody

This is a very helpful book about suicide as it impacts a child's life. The book is a valuable in answering the questions of a child after his or her life has been touched by a death by suicide. It is written for young readers but can be helpful for any age.

Betty Ewart, Editor
BP/USA National Newsletter, A Journey Together

Dear Carol,

Nancy and I received your book, My Uncle Keith Died today. We have read it, and we think it is very appropriate for young children. As a matter of fact, it is very appropriate for adults. We wish everyone could have an understanding of depression and its fatal consequences as expressed in your book. The illustrations were age appropriate and well done. We both thought the one with the mask said it all!

Jimmy Powell
Chattanooga, TN

I received your book yesterday....read it right away and loved it. Nicely done!

In my quest to understand Jimmy's depression over the past two years, I have read more stupid/inaccurate/uncaring books by so-called specialists in the field of psychology which I tossed ....you have put into a few pages a compassionate description of the pain our loved ones tried to endure...thank you!

Ann

Carol Loehr's touching book, My Uncle Keith Died gently and lovingly tells a story as seen through the eyes of a child, Cody.

It is a story about LOVE and loss, remembering the past and honoring the memory of a loved one. This publication serves to teach children and their families about the realities of mental illness and suicide while hopefully erasing some of the stigma of both. It gives the reader a feeling of hope that they may pass on to a family member or friend that suffers from depression. I would recommend My Uncle Keith Died to anyone.

Our family knows full well the pain of losing a loved one to suicide. Our beloved son John died by suicide in 2004. He was 30 years old, a husband and father of two children ages 2 and 1. Carol Loehr's meaningful story will serve as our guide in the future when we and our son's widow explain to our grandchildren "How and Why Daddy Died".

Mary Jo McConnell, mother of John G.

Read an article about the author from Seacoastonline.com Here

About the Author

Carol Loehr graduated from Purdue University with a BA in Elementary and Special Education. She was an elementary and special education teacher.

Her son Keith died by suicide on March 29, 1999. She created and continues to maintain www.TheGiftofKeith.org, a Web site of information to help comfort and educate survivors of suicide, as well as clergy, health care professionals, and counselors.

Carol serves on the SKIIP's (Super Kid…Informed/Involved Parent) Management Team whose Web site, www.skiip.org, has current information and Internet resources to understand childhood-onset illnesses of the brain.

She has written many articles: “Not a Matter of Choice,” “Suicide: Some Understanding Is Certain to Initiate and Develop Empathy,” and “Understanding Keith’s Death.” These articles have been published in various magazines and newspapers.

Carol works with The Compassionate Friends, a worldwide organization for supporting bereaved families following the death of a child.

Excerpts