How Not to Kill Yourself

The Good Life Series

By: Set Sytes, Faith G. Harper PhD LPC-S ACS - foreword

Narrated by: Tim Bruce, Erin Bennett - foreword

Length: 2 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's Summary

A highly imaginative and relatable guide for anyone who needs the reassurance that suicide is never worth it.

Are you inclined to escape the crumminess of everyday life into fantasy worlds? Are you smart and imaginative in a way that isn't really suited to your surroundings? Are you definitely misunderstood, likely angry, and almost certainly depressed? Set Sytes, hailing from the UK, would prefer you stay alive and sort things out rather than the alternative, thanks. He figures there are better opportunities for you out there and lays it all out in a way that's compelling, funny, sharp, and useful.

This zine-turned-book (please don't call it a self-help guide, asks the author) is ultimately about how to be a person in the world. It can be done non-miserably, we promise.

©2018 Set Sytes, Faith G. Harper (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Like a self-care refresher, with humor and example

First of all, don’t be put off by the doctor who wrote the foreword. She swears a lot for no reason and she doesn’t add anything to the story. I read it so you don’t have to—you can skip the foreword. The first several chapters talk about what you’re going through and what it feels like. The real broth of the book lies somewhere around chapter 13 and beyond. Practical examples of how not to kill yourself. Each chapter there on gives easy to follow things you can do to help stay the course another day.

It got me thinking 🙂

Well read, a “self help” book with a wonderfully comical bent, which made it enjoyable and easy to listen through to the end of the book. I think it was the first time I have actually finished a self help type book. I found it more of a book of encouragement at a time when I really needed encouragement. My thanks to the author, who felt like more of a kindred spirit who had made it through the darkness we share. It was brave of you to tell the tale and shine a light.

Live change

I’ve tried listening/reading other “self-help” self development books and most of them were dull and disappointing. Most of them I couldn’t even finish reading their first chapter. This book is so different. It’s a no bullshit no rainbows and sunshine’s book that tells you what you need to hear.

Help for Inescapable Suicidal ideation

Absolutely love the narrator -who did a fabulous job. This book is filled with empathy and sympathy for the reader (listener) through a wonderfully raw, acceptable humor and full of practicality. The author is understanding and encouraging through a way of sharing personal thoughts and ideas for when depression, the horrible dark beast decides to inundate your mind. If you have chronic intrusive thoughts and/or suicidal ideation- then this book could be just what you need in your life.

When I decided to give yet one more book to help me a chance- I was not disappointed at all. The author serves you up with just what you need including being someone that "gets it". This isn't some mundane, boring person with a bunch of credentials after their name; rather, it's a clever *real* person giving you every reminder of tips for coping that you may already know, may not have known, or had forgotten about over time. Ideas are presented to use known skills/activities but thinking about them in different ways with additional ideas of activities you may have never tried. Like gaming! Tips for utilizing gaming to help you including playing around someone.

I loved the part regarding creating to get the stuff out of your head. Artists of all kinds deal with thinking everyone's work is better or you're not good enough and the author reminds us that some of the best creations out there are ugly and far from *perfect*. You're reminded to not hold back but to express your thoughts through whatever medium of creation you make. Not just painters or drawers but also writers/bloggers, sculptors, programmers even. If it is cathartic for you do whatever you want with it. Keep it just for you or share it with others.

There's so much more to this book than I ever would've thought could be contained in it. I felt understood, I felt myself smiling from the at times sardonic humor, I felt inspired and renewed. I felt real, loved, alive and valued. I felt like maybe, just maybe, I can give my deplorable existence one more chance.

My mind has been blown by the power and relatedness of this book. My review doesn't do the book proper justice. I highly recommend listening to/reading this- you'll do so without regret.

Direct !!!

#1 LOTS of things we say to our selves or do; Hard core simple/direct sayings/ideas, put in kick you in the asz ways !!!
#2 Jumps around to many different concepts.
#3 Lots of swearing on/ off & in this context, i'd say necessary.
#4 Not just for people at their end. but GREAT for every one; as a way to have a better /happier life too.

Out in the Open!

The author gets it. People with suicidal thoughts are isolated . This book bring the truths away from dark therapy rooms where one is just another textbook case. Loved humor and sarcasm!!

Friendly, funny, and emotional

Listening to this felt like having a conversation with a best friend. The author is a kindred spirit to the pain, and does not judge anyone who experiences it differently or doesn't experience it at all. If you have depression or someone in your life who suffers from depression I would recommend this book. The author makes it easy to hear about and talk about depression and suicide, and from the get go he lets you know it's ok to laugh. The narrator gives a wonderful performance which really solidifies the sense of connection to the words. Thank you so much for this book, it really helps to have someone who understands.

please please please read this book!

This book has been such an amazing help! It truly makes you feel like you’re not alone in this struggle with yourself and the world. I’ve yet to find something (book or otherwise) that makes me feel, dare I say it, optimistic! Please give it a go! You’ll thank yourself for it!

great techniques

I really enjoyed this audiobook and feel like I learned a couple different techniques from it too!

Wow wow wow!

Absolutely amazing and actually had me laughing out loud when I didn’t think it was possible. So grateful for this book!

Really enjoyed this

I love your approach to imagination. I was considering joining a creative writing group ( when I am better )and this book gave my a bit of a kick.
I can relate to so many things. Thank you.

Good (can be a touch annoying)

Generally really helpful and gets how shit being suicidal and depressed is, doesn’t tiptoe around anything and laughs at it (if only with a slightly dated sense of humour that your dad might use).
Also would question: Go for a walk preferably at night time in parks and woods… this is obviously not written with women in mind as that’s a terrifying prospect.

I'm still here

A disreputable, disrespectful, look at why I shouldn't kill myself. It made me actually laugh out loud at points, which is something of an achievement at the moment. Thank you Set, your book is very refreshing, us Imaginative Pessamists need more "tell it like it is, sans kittens and ponies"

Informative helpful

It wasn't my version of favourite book. But It has updated my knowledge in this regard, the reader made the book very interesting

The one reader was superb, even my best and favourite reader

quirky approach to self-help

Good length, well performed and quirky honest ideas in the book, different from most books of similar topic

Brilliant

A brilliant, humorous and meaningful piece of work. Worth a read by imaginative pessimists

Enjoyable and light hearted look into how to overcome depression

A book that pokes fun at a serious topic such as depression and suicide whilst providing theory and practical advice takes some skill to write. Really enjoyable read and a must if you feel depressed or suicidal because it’s like sitting down talking to a good friend

very beautiful book

I want to thank the author for trying to help.. he is a hero.

Better than Bear Grylls for survival

I've just finished and I'm so sad it's come to an end I'm listening to it again straight away! There's bound to be something I missed or will see differently now my mindset is changing anyway.
I've already recommended this book to several people, it's a must read for the creative pessimist!
The down to Earth approach is by far the greatest I've ever experienced when wondering through "self help guides", and it makes all the difference!
Thank you Set Sytes for your creation and thank you to S.H. for recommending it to me.

Look at ME!! I can use swear words!!

Utterly ineffectiveness words distract from whatever wise advice this audio book may or may not contain.