Surviving Ben's Suicide, a Book Review

I just read a book called, "Surviving Ben's Suicide. This book makes you stop reading and not only think about what you just read but it also makes you really think about life and how problems can really be overcome if you keep trying and never give up. Not only did I completely understand this book, but I felt like I could really relate to Ben and Comfort in so many ways.

I am Bi- Polar and so is my husband and even though I have never tried to commit suicide, I have thought about doing it many, many times. Ben and Comfort both had a feeling of not being good enough and I have felt like that all of my life. I can truly relate to how Comfort felt before, during, and after knowing Ben.

Surviving Ben's Suicide takes you through a young woman's journey as she falls in love with a young man who suffers from Bi Polar disorder. Anyone who suffers from Bi Polar disorder, low self esteem, and feelings of inadequacy can truly relate to Comfort and Ben. This young couple met in college and share similar feelings of not being good enough. I'm sure anyone has had the feeling of not being good enough in their life no matter if they suffer from Bi Polar disorder or not. You don't have to be mentally ill to feel this way.

C. Comfort Shields, the author or this book, writes about how she survived feelings of guilt from Ben, her boyfriend, committing suicide. This book will make you laugh a little, cry a little (or a lot) and really make you stop and think how you might relate to Comfort or Ben. Ben suffered from Bi Polar disorder so bad that he felt there was no other way than to end his life, thus ending his suffering.

I am in no way justifying Ben for committing suicide. I am saying, however, that I can understand the feeling of loneliness and being "the black sheep" and not feeling like I belong anywhere. Ben felt that there was no one nothing that could help him. I truly wish Ben could have been helped. He was far too young to end his life. He had so much to look forward to. Ben was on medication and he was seeing a therapist but none of that helped him and in the end he just ended his suffering.

As I read this book, I often admire Comfort for the way she dealt with Ben's mental illness. She tried to reach out and help him and love him but in the end it wasn't enough. I do admire Comfort for getting on with her life and her future, learning to love again, and having children. Surviving Ben's Suicide is a must read if you or someone you know has a mental illness. This book must be a comfort for those who have lost loved ones to suicide. I highly recommend reading it.