What to read after Beyond the Grey Sky?

Suicide claims over one million lives world-wide each year. In the United States alone, suicide has become the second leading cause of death amongst people ages ten to thirty-five and has literally become a national epidemic resulting in 47,000 deaths per year, or more than twice the number of homicides.

Beyond the Grey Sky is the first major publication of its kind to truly help explain the impacts of suicide on both our physical and spiritual beings by telling the incredible true story of a tragic death and a survivor’s unique journey that will forever change what we believe and know about suicide.

PRAISE FOR BEYOND THE GREY SKY

“Dustin Ruge, departing from his previous best-selling books, pours his heart out in “Beyond the Grey Sky.” Approaching the 17th anniversary of his brother David’s death by suicide, with unvarnished prose and rich anecdotes, he captures the essence of their relationship and his personal journey of healing. Like so many who die by suicide, “David didn’t always feel like he ‘fit in’ to the world we live in.” Ruge is a gifted writer – I was transported from laughing out loud (ala David Sedaris) into being moved to tears. This book is a must-read for everyone, not just survivors of suicide loss.”-Michael F Myers, MD Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY and author of “Touched by Suicide: Hope and Healing After Loss” (with Carla Fine) and “Why Physicians Die by Suicide: Lessons Learned from Their Families and Others Who Cared.”

“This is one of the most powerful books on suicide we have ever read. We believe that if everybody could read this incredible story they would not consider suicide.” -Dale and Dar (Darlene) Emme, Founders of Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program.

"Beyond the Gray Sky" by Dustin Ruge is his own soul-searching journey in the aftermath of his step brother's suicide. He shares the experience of his shattered world and the Spirit World's subsequent intervention with candor and awe. Ruge's search for meaning in his own life and in his brother’s life is compelling. Other suicide loss survivors will relate to his story and will read with curiosity and wonder."-Iris Bolton, Author, Grief Counselor, Director Emeritus of the Link Counseling Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Bolton wrote, "My Son, My Son, A Guide to Healing after Death, Loss or Suicide and recently Bolton Press Atlanta published "Voices of Healing and Hope, Conversations on Grief after Suicide." www.boltonpress.com

“Dustin’s story is a heartfelt account about love, grief and our life-long connection we have to our loved ones who have left this world.”-Friends for Survival, Inc.“Beyond the Grey Sky brings to light the “human factor” and a real look at how suicide impacts not only loved ones, but even acquaintances will be impacted to some degree over such a loss. As a Suicidology Researcher and I know firsthand the tragedy that follows a death by suicide. The “ripple effect” never ceases, the ripples just become less pronounced. However, I know lives can be saved by reading this book.”-Olivia Johnson, DM, Blue Wall Institute

“Dustin Ruge has written a book about surviving the loss of his brother to suicide that is personal, engaging and poignant. He gives us a clear picture of the devastation of the death, as well as the strong bond they shared and the growth Dustin experiences after grieving. It is a lovely example of how we can and often do engage with life in a richer way after we work through the heart wrenching aspects of our losses to suicide.”-Vanessa L. McGann, Ph.D, Survivors Division Chair, American Association of Suicidology