Guided by certified crisis counselor Lisa Sugarman's expert hand, Surviving is an authentic, loving resource for those seeking to understand and heal from losing a loved one to suicide.
After suicide loss, the world can feel suddenly unfamiliar. Language fails, routines fracture, and grief doesn't follow any predictable path. Surviving speaks directly to those left behind, offering understanding, validation, and reassurance that what you are feeling—confusion, anger, guilt, numbness, even moments of calm—is not wrong.
Written for people navigating life after the suicide of a loved one, this book acknowledges the unique weight of suicide grief: the unanswered questions, the isolation, and the pressure to "move on" before you are ready. Rather than offering quick fixes, Surviving creates space for readers to grieve honestly, at their own pace, without judgment.
Through gentle reflections and practical guidance, the book explores what it means to live alongside loss—how to face anniversaries and sudden triggers, how to respond to well‑meaning but painful comments, and how to care for yourself when energy and hope feel depleted. It recognizes that healing is not linear and that strength can look like simply getting through the day.
Ultimately, Surviving is about continuing—not forgetting, not "getting over" loss, but learning how to live with it while slowly rediscovering meaning, connection, and hope. For anyone walking this difficult path, it offers companionship, understanding, and the quiet reminder that you do not have to walk it alone.
From managing grief and overcoming mental health challenges to moving forward and rebuilding, this gentle resource includes tangible tools from Sugarman's comprehensive 18-category mental health resources platform, The HelpHUB™.
It's an essential read for survivors, mental health advocates, and anyone touched by the ripple effects of suicide. Survival is possible, and support is always within reach.
Praise
“Sugarman’s powerful memoir peels back the curtain on the too often untold impacts of surviving suicide loss. . . . I am beyond grateful for this raw and honest work.”
—Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project
"Lisa Sugarman’s Surviving is not just a book . . . it is a hand reaching into the darkest moments of a person’s life and refusing to let go. As someone who has lived through the depths of mental illness . . I can tell you this with absolute certainty: What Lisa has created here is rare, urgent, and profoundly necessary."
—Kevin Hines, Mental Health Advocate, Speaker, Author, Filmmaker, Host of the HINESIGHTS Podcast
“A powerful, human-centered reminder that connection saves lives. . . . A vital resource for military and Veteran communities."
“From my perspective working in suicide prevention across military and Veteran communities, Surviving fills a critical gap. . . . Especially in cultures where strength is often mistaken for silence. It meets people upstream—before crisis peaks—by helping readers recognize their own struggles, feel seen in their pain, and understand that they are not alone.”
—Christopher “CJ” Allen, Veteran Suicide Prevention Advocate, Founder of Find the Next 6,000
“Lisa Sugarman’s perspective is unique. Her ability to shine light on dark, stigmatized, uncomfortable topics is remarkable. She knows the many reasons most people aren’t talking openly about mental health and suicide, so she speaks and writes about it, giving us all access to needed information and insights. Lisa’s exploration on suicide loss is among the deepest, most real and important that I’ve experienced.”
—Terry McGuire, Host of the Giving Voice to Depression podcast and Senior Executive Producer at Recovery.com
“By courageously sharing her story in Surviving, Lisa Sugarman brings us one step closer to breaking the stigma of suicide, which is no small task. Lisa’s perspective provides reassurance and validation for suicide loss survivors who may be struggling with their grief in silence.”
—Kathleen C. Marchi, Chief Executive Officer and President, Samaritans, Inc.
“Lisa Sugarman brings raw honesty and profound compassion to the experience of suicide loss. . . . This book is a powerful companion for anyone touched by suicide and an essential reminder that healing is possible.”
—Darcy H. Lee, Executive Director, Samaritans Southcoast, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Center
“An extraordinary and deeply moving memoir. . . . It encourages open and compassionate conversations about life's tragedies and teaches us to find strength in vulnerability.”
—Albina Galiza, Deputy CEO, Calmerry
“A lifeline, packed with practical tools, resources, and insights. . . . It’s a must-read for anyone touched by loss, proving vulnerability is our greatest strength in healing.”
—Eric Kussin, Mental Health Advocate and Founder of #SameHere Global Mental Health Movement
“This book isn’t just for those who’ve been touched by suicide loss—it’s for anyone searching for hope, purpose, or a way to keep going. . . . It’s a survival manual for navigating life’s hardest moments.”
—Shawn Lesser, Founder of THE REAL, Mental Health Advocate
