Will's Choice: A Suicidal Teen, a Desperate Mother, and a Chronicle of Recovery

by Gail Griffith

Book Overview

In the early hours of March 11, 2001, seventeen-year-old Will ingested a near-fatal dose of his antidepressant medication, an event that forever changed his life and the lives of his family. In Will's Choice, his mother, Gail Griffith, takes us down the very personal road each of the family members traveled to renew Will's interest in life and to regain their equilibrium in the aftermath of his self-destructive act. Griffith intersperses her own finely...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060598654
• ISBN13: 9780060598655
• Release Date: May 2005
• Publisher: Harper
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Worthy of a Nobel Prize for Brilliance and Generosity

Reading this book was one of the most affecting entertainment experiences I have ever had. I venture to say that not since the 12-hour 1973 TV documentary, 'An American Family', has there been -- in print or on video -- as fully realized a portrait of a family in crisis as is portrayed in this astonishing work. The story begins with the highest possible drama in recounting the near-fatal suicide attempt of an exceptionally bright, seemingly well-adjusted 17-year-old boy in the bedroom of the upper middle class D.C. home he shared with two loving and dedicated parents. In fact, at the time of his attempt, Will was actually being raised by four remarkable parents, as both his mother (author Gail Griffith with whom he was living when he overdosed on anti-depressant drugs intending to die) and his father (with whom he was also extremely close) had each acquired a second spouse; not only had the respective step-parents embraced Will as if he were their natural child, but the four adults had achieved unusual harmony amongst themselves, beautifully integrating their extended families. No post-divorce rancor or other trauma, no major drug or alcohol problems, few dark clouds of any kind appeared to have unleashed the violent storm that nearly destroyed a promising young man. Partial answers to the riddle of why Will crashed are suggested by Griffith's history of her own lengthy depression and hospitalization, as well as her painfully detailed portrait of Will's girlfriend, Megan, who was also suffering from severe depression as well as an addiction to cutting her skin with razor blades and knives. Indeed, Griffith, in securing the right to publish contemporaneous letters and diary notes from young Megan Mathews (interspersed with those of Will and many other family members) tells a story of a second deeply-troubled self-mutilating teen, who, like Will, eventually manages to regain her mental health; not only does the quality of Megan's writing add an excellent further dimension to Griffith's story, but I feel certain that the excerpts from Megan are our introduction to an uncommonly talented writer -- whose own books I eagerly look forward to reading. As Will rallies from a 2-day coma, his family confronts their fears that he might attempt a second try, as well as guilt and anger over the mystery of what led to the first attempt. Griffith ably stitches together the story of Will's earlier years and then recounts the intensive family effort to locate what proves to be a rare and remarkable institution, Montana Academy, which accepts Will and shepards his year-long recovery to where he regains a strong will to live and resume normal life in the 'real' world. Griffith pauses throughout her narrative to alert parents to what she learned from this excruciating experience -- how to foretell suicide threats, how to diagnose and deal with depressed children, how to work with psychiatrists and other doctors, how to evaluate and manage anti-depressant drugs,

Familiar family's journey

Reading this book brought back a host of powerful memories of my story with my depressed teenage daughter. As with Will, her story touches the lowest of the lows and highest of the highs of emotions. Although never attempting suicide, her depression induced behavior put her in harms way in any number of ways. As it appears in Will's case, it took time to adjust the medications and talk through the issues in a setting out of the environment where she had spiraled downward. My healthy 24 year old daughter gained much insight in her " time out" recovery process. It serves her well now. This book has so much hope to offer families even as it correctly identifies the host of difficult issues in society and our health care system. I say ours because as Ms. Griffith points out, it is the families who will need to lead the effort to make changes for our children's benefit. The book is beautifuly written by someone with the perspective of a mother, FDA panel family representaive, and professional advocate for compassionate change in our world. It is read for all.

Pain and redemption

Ms. Griffith's well-written account of her son Will's suicide attempt and the effects it has had on Will, his family and friends is heart-squeezing in and of itself. Yet Griffith not only tells her own family's story, but through research gives us a troubling description of our entire society's failure to understand and deal with the growing phenomenon of teenage depression and suicide. How did Will--a seemingly happy child--so quickly fall into depression and then attempt to stop his pain by death? What brings any teen, happy or not, to such a joyless existence that they think death is the answer? Griffith offers some explanations based on her investigations, including both societal (too early media-driven sexual awakenings, lack of parental involvement in their children's lives, etc.) and natural (chemical imbalances, heredity), but the real contribution in the book is perhaps the call to all parents to become better informed about teen depression while trusting their instincts as parents to guard, guide, and love their kids. She also speaks to needed changes in attitudes and policies regarding mental illness from the general public, government agencies, health care professionals, and health insurers. Despite all of Will's and his family's pain depicted in this book, there is redemption. Will has recovered and is doing well. And his mother has given all of us a clearer path to better understand and help troubled teens. And the book is not a total downer--there are light moments of dark humor by both Will and his mom. There is no need for a caution label on the cover. It is ultimately a very good read.

Gripping and Helpful

Gail Griffith's account of her son's illness comes across as painfully honest. Her inclusion of her son's and Megan's writings was very helpful for those of us who seek to understand the crippling illness called clinical depression. If you have ever had to deal with a close relative who is suffering from clinical depression, this account clearly lays out the anguish being experienced by the sufferer and also by the immediate family dealing with this person. Because the author deals with many of the difficulties and controversies (medical, pharmacological, and financial) encountered in trying to find a viable treatment program, much helpful information is offered. The book is also very informative about the present state-of-the art in dealing with clinical depression. Above all, I found this book to be a fascinating, well-written and gripping account that was very much worth reading. Thank you, Gail.

A Must Read!

I finished Will's Choice a few minutes ago. I read it in two days! Will's Choice is A GREAT READ--WONDERFULLY WRITTEN, HEARTBREAKINGLY TOUCHING,AND EXTREMELY EYE OPENING! I also suffered from depression when I was a teenager. I picked up this book expecting to be drawn into the stories of Gail and Will, son and mother and their struggles to overcome depression. I was delighted to find that this book is part memoir-part educational tool filled with relevant tips and research to help all those who've suffered depression or know someone who has suffered from depression. I only wished Gail had written it a decade a go when I needed it most. Will's Choice is a page turner and made me I laughed and cried(Will's a very funny writer). But I also learned a lot from it. I've purchased copies for friends. Thank you, Gail, Will, Meghan et al for your bravery and courage.