Autobiography
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“Five years ago, my 16-year old daughter, Aeryn, took her own life. Even now, those words still don't feel real.
I have found it virtually impossible to separate thoughts and memories of my daughter from the cold, hard, terrifying fact of her death, from the depression that robbed us of her. I want my daughter to be so much more than just a statistic, another suicide in an age of increasing mental health troubles in our society.
But the truth is, for those that didn't know her, she will be defined by her death. And I need to make that count. I need to tell her story.”
Aeryn's diaries provide a frank, brutally honest account of teenage depression, while her haunting yet beautiful poetry paints a graphic picture of her feelings. Interspersed with Facebook posts, email correspondence and her mother's diaries, they document the last few months of her life and the aftermath of her death.
In sharing Aeryn's story, Ellen hopes to help other families going through similar experiences, and to increase understanding of the depth of pain that depression can cause, a pain so deep and all consuming that there appears to be only one way to escape it.
Here's what readers have to say about this book....
Review If ever there was a book that I wish with everything that I have didn't have to be published, it is this book. The suffering and pain of both Aeryn and Ellen is absolutely heartbreaking to read. And yet, to read it is so important. The lessons that I can take from the book as a mother, as a teacher, as a carer, are so valuable and precious. What will also truly stay with me, is the immense artistry and beauty of Aeryn's poetry. Such an amazingly gifted poet.
A difficult read. You can feel the anger in this book and at times this comes across as unfinished business between parent and professionals. This title would possibly be relatable and maybe support other parents who have gone or are going through this situation. It left me feeling sad, especially so for the siblings and the impact that this will almost certainly have on them as they grow older.
To the previous reviewer yes I did read this book and my critique was based on my opinion. It helps other readers to make an informed choice. Not everyone is comfortable reading private diaries and along with other reviewers neither was I.
Either the person who wrote the last review didn't read the book at all or they entirely missed the point .the point being that this young woman did NOT get the professional help she needed when she needed it. It's the family I feel for not the professionals who clearly let them down. I don't believe this was an unavoidable tragedy . with the right support at the right time, I believe she could have been saved. Yes it's a hard read and yes it contains diaries - so if you don't want to read personal, private thoughts then don't read it!!! But there's such power in these raw, unfiltered words - a rare insight into the reality of depression by a very talented young woman who clearly had much more to give to the world. I think the family have every right to share that talent - no matter how painful - with the world.
A tough read. Depression is awful and it just goes to show that even with professional input sometimes there's nothing that can prevent such a sad loss. Today's society is so tough for teenagers. I do have to agree with other reviewers though I found it a little too much to read private thoughts of someone who did not intend those to be made public. I feel for the people who tried to help this young girl. A very sad end.
