In Losing Aaron, Ingrid Blaufarb Hughes has written a compelling tale of a mother's struggle with her son's mental illness and suicide. She makes us understand how, when one person in a family suffers from the cruelty of schizophrenia, it informs and defines the lives of all those who love that person. We come away knowing not only a mother's loss, but the complexity, wonder, and sadness of the life that has been lost, and the immense struggles that come before and after the loss.

Every family member with courage to share their story about mental illness in a loved one opens the door of understanding just a bit more - and that can help reduce stigma and spark action to help those with mental illness and their families. The author begins with the fact of Aaron's suicide, so we know where this is headed and yet we still root for Aaron - and his Mom, Dad, sister and stepdad - to get the support, education, and understanding needed to change the outcome we know is inevitable. Alas, that doesn't happen - but Ingrid Blaufarb Hughes opens her heart to us as we share in her confusion, frustration and helplessness in the face of a devastating illness that seems to steal the soul of someone we love.