Dr. Edwin S. Shneidman passes at 91 - IN MEMORIAM by Dr. Kita Curry

Renowned pioneer in the field of suicidology and co-founder of our Suicide Prevention Center, Dr. Edwin S. Shneidman died at home on May 15th.

As his failing health confined him to smaller spaces, Dr. Shneidman’s mind continued to roam.  Last year, he published his 20th book—A Common Sense Book of Death—Reflections at Ninety of a Lifelong Thanatologist.  Dr. Shneidman had an abiding interest in understanding and easing the psychological pain associated with suicide—a pain he described as psychache.  Over the years, many people sought him out after the loss of a loved one to suicide, and he gave of himself generously.  

After Dr. Shneidman became homebound, the world came to him.  He delighted in the letters he received from around the world and his many visitors.  Despite the gloom associated with his life’s work, he was willful, mischievous, and boyishly sweet.  He also enjoyed being called a lovable curmudgeon.  In 2007, Dr. Shneidman invited me to tea, because he and Dr. Norman Farberow were receiving Erasing the Stigma Awards from Didi Hirsch.  We discovered a shared passion for poetry and more visits followed.  I will miss our afternoons of Melville, manuscripts and metaphor.

- Dr. Kita S. Curry President/CEO

Click here HERE   for Dr. Shneidman’s obituary from the Los Angeles Times.