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Can We Have a Frank Conversation About Suicide, Without Judgement?

When my wife unexpectedly died, I became empathetic with those who believe they have nothing left to live for.

Joel Eisenberg
8 min readJun 10, 2024
Photo by Engin Akyurt; Unsplash

Author’s Notes

If you or someone you know suffers from suicidal ideology and is in crisis, please dial or text 988 for immediate help.

Further, a disclaimer for this article is warranted: The words that follow are blunt and may be triggering to some readers. Should an honest conversation about this subject matter be troublesome to you, please refrain from proceeding.

Introduction

The impetus behind the writing of this article is related to comments I’ve received to my Medium pieces about my late wife, Lorie.

You can read those articles here and here.

Specifically, I’ve received dozens of comments from readers who have questioned their willingness to live after surviving great losses of their own.

In response, I’ve wanted to say to each and every one that I emotionally understood their pain, which is true. How, though, could I possibly get that point across while at once insisting I’ve never been compelled to take my life?

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Joel Eisenberg
Joel Eisenberg

Written by Joel Eisenberg

Joel Eisenberg is an award-winning author, screenwriter, and producer. The Oscar in the profile pic isn’t his but he’s scheming. WGA and Pen America member.

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