Discursive Constructions of the Suicidal Process

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What is suicide When does suicide start and when does it end Who is involved Examining narratives of suicide through a discourse analytic framework, Discursive Constructions of the Suicidal Process demonstrates how linguistic theories and methodologies can help answer these questions and cast light upon what suicide involves and means, both for those who commit an act and their loved ones. Engaging in close analysis of suicide letters written before the act and post-hoc narratives from after the event, this book is the first qualitative study to view suicide not as a single event outside time, but as a time-extended process. Exploring how suicide is experienced and narrated from two temporal perspectives, Dariusz Galasinski and Justyna Zilkowska introduce discourse analysis to the field of suicidology. Arguing that studying suicide narratives and the reality they represent can add significantly to our understanding of the process, and in particular its experiences and meanings, Discursive Constructions of the Suicidal Process demonstrates the value of discourse analytic insights in informing, enriching and contextualising our knowledge of suicide.

Reviews

In Discursive Constructions of the Suicidal Process, Dariusz Galasinski and Justyna Zilkowska offer a compelling and innovative linguistic/discursive analytical approach to understanding the complexities of suicide and its prevention. Drawing on over 600 suicide notes, as well as 65 semi-structured interviews with attempt survivors, the book critically interrogates ideas and assumptions about the suicidal process and experiences of suicidality in an engaging and productive way. * Ian Marsh, Reader in the School of Allied Health, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK *
In a field that for decades has been heavily dominated by quantitative risk factor research, this book is a timely, interesting, and important contribution to the suicidological literature. * Heidi Hjelmeland, Professor at the Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway *

Author Bio

Dariusz Galasinski is Visiting Professor at Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland. Justyna Zilkowska is Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology in the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Poland.