“Blackbird is a poignant memoir of a mother’s love for her son, Charlie, who died by suicide, and the uncomfortable questions and feelings it raised for her. Betsy Thibaut Stephenson writes with tremendous honesty about how she processed this unimaginable loss, the toll it had on her and her family, and how she is finding a way to live in this new normal. She shares the relentless cascade of questions and self-doubt that arose for her in the aftermath of his death about her parenting, recognizing and responding to mental illness, and the what-ifs. Her book will be a source of support and validation to any parent who loses a child to suicide and feels alone, and it is a must-read for those looking to understand and support someone after the suicide of their child.”

– Julie Goldstein Grumet, PhD
Director, Zero Suicide Institute