To the Editor:

I have a friend who endured two suicides in her family. One was her brother-in-law who shot himself in his office, and the other was her brother who hung himself outside his home. Both men were working and successful, left behind families, and did not involve themselves in drugs. Her brother-in-law was dealing with some mental issues, while her brother's death came as a complete shock. The sister of her brother-in-law also attempted suicide late last year but survived and remained in the hospital for some time. My friend and her family neither judged nor condemned these individuals, although they continue their struggle to understand why as they courageously go on with their own lives.