I am a writer and artist whose father committed suicide when I was 17 in 1963. He was a gambler and in debt. He probably would've been murdered by the mob had he not taken his own life. He had tried suicide twice before, once when I was 2 or 3 years old. One morning he told me he wasn't coming home anymore. That was his way of telling me what he was going to do. I understood but I didn't try to stop him. That evening after losing $5000 at the track he rented a hotel room and took barbituates. That day changed my life forever. I will continue telling you my story. But first I would like to hear your stories.

If you or anyone you know has a friend or relative whose father committed suicide, please let me hear from you. I have put together these questions to help you respond.

1. How old were you when your father committed suicide?

2. How did your father do it?

3. How did it affect your life at the time?

4. What long-term effects has it had on your life?

5. How has it affected your love life? Have you been able to find a partner and have a stable relationshp?

6. How has it affected your career?

7. How has it affected your health?

8. How has it affected your world view?

9. Can you imagine following in your father's footsteps?

10. Were you able to recover and lead a "normal" life?

11. If so, what helped you get through it?

12. What advice would you give other women to help them get over it?