Dear Reader:

The Kirwan-Carr Foundation was created out of a desire for there to be resources available for people who have been affected by a suicide attempt. Attempted Suicide is an act focused on taking one's life that is unsuccessful in causing death.

I began this journey after my father attempted suicide twice in eight months.  The first attempt was a drug overdose and the second was a gun shot wound to the head.  I searched in vain for some tool, book, website, support group, e-book, or pamphlet to help me feel validated, supported, not alone, and less confused.  I would have been happy with anything that would provide answers or helped in some way.  After his second attempt I was plunged into even more grief and confusion.

As I emerged from that fog the idea of writing a book, which will be published in 2010 entitled Attempted Suicide: The Essential Guidebook for Loved Ones, became more concrete.  It became somewhat of a purpose or calling.  I really wanted for people in my position to have something that they could hold, touch, crease, highlight, underline, share and give to others.  I wanted the book to provide for them a sense of belonging and hope and the knowledge that other people have experienced what they are feeling.  I also had a vision for the book to be a tool for friends to read so that they may be of more help and support.  I wanted them to have some sense of understanding of what their friends or family members were going through and how they could best be supportive.  After beginning the book and conducting interviews for it I decided I wanted to contribute a portion of the proceeds from the book to an organization that would help people affected by a suicide attempt.  As you may be aware, there was not one.  This led to my decision to create one.

The Foundation is dedicated to providing answers, hope, healing , resources, and a voice of advocacy for everyone, including suicide attempters, affected by a suicide attempt.  The quickest way to provide access to care for these people is through the internet.  Donations taken by the Kirwan-Carr Foundation will be used to launch the Website www.AttemptedSuicideHelp.com, which will become a place for people to have immediate access to resources.

Our hope is that through these resources you find what you are looking for and that you will be moved to donate to this very worthy cause.  If you do not find what you were hoping for or needing, please let us know so that we can make the changes necessary to serve this very deserving population of people.

If you are a person affected by a suicide attempt our hope is that you find the courage to carry on and find the strength to continue until life returns to good.
Sincerely,

Juliet Carr
Founder, Kirwan-Carr Foundation