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‘Diary of a Broken Mind’ is not for the newly bereaved

Diary of a broken mind Charles Aubrey Rogers

Few authors un-sell their book. However, I just want to be sensitive to those who might not be in the place to read it yet. A number of people have asked. And while there may be newly bereaved who need it and can read it, it could be triggering for some. This book is is memoir, not a grief book. So it’s not for everyone at any time. If you are currently not feeling very stable, for example, you’d may make the choice to wait.

For a preview to help you decide, the introduction is here.

It is for those who want to understand more about universal themes and that normal families can suffer a loss by suicide. A normal family can have someone who suffers from substance use disorder. A normal family can be struggling with mental illness of a loved one.

What I have understood about Charles’ music is that the darkness and his words didn’t “give any one the idea” but instead helped kids his age understand that someone else felt the darkness they did.

For the first year after Charles’ death, I could not read more than two pages before words in any book would smudge together like ink blots. Sentences were wavy and uneven and I lacked the concentration to understand books. I could write but I could not read much. There was only one book I read at all and it was a few pages at a time. The one I read did help me understand this mysterious journey that I had stumbled into against my will.

What I can tolerate has changed since then. The edges of the pain are smoother and less sharp for much of the time.

If you are looking for a book to give the newly bereaved, I would suggest one of these which were vetted by several subscribing members here. most of which have multiple recommendations. I read the one that is second on this list. The page is below.

I just had to say that.

Published by

Anne Moss Rogers

I am an emotionally naked mental health speaker, and author of the Book, Diary of a Broken Mind and co-author with Kim O'Brien PhD, LICSW of Emotionally Naked: A Teacher's Guide to Preventing Suicide and Recognizing Students at Risk. I raised two boys, Richard and Charles, and lost my younger son, Charles to addiction and suicide on June 5, 2015. I help people foster a culture of connection to prevent suicide, reduce substance misuse and find life after loss. My motivational mental health keynotes, training and workshop topics include suicide prevention, addiction, mental illness, anxiety, coping strategies/resilience, and grief. As talented and funny as Charles was, letting other people know they matter was his greatest gift. And now the legacy I try and carry forward in my son's memory. Mental Health Speakers Website. Trained in ASIST and trainer for the evidence-based 4-hour training for everyone called safeTALK.

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