Michelle Linn-Gust, M.S., is a writer, speaker and survivor of her sister’s suicide. In 2001, her book Do They Have Bad Days in Heaven? Surviving the Suicide Loss of a Sibling (Bolton Press Atlanta 2001/Chellehead Works 2002), the first comprehensive resource for sibling survivors of suicide, was released. The book stemmed from Michelle’s experience as a sibling survivor following her sister Denise’s suicide in 1993.

Since graduating from Ball State University in 1994 with a B.S. in journalism, she went on to earn an M.S. in health education from the University of New Mexico in 1996. While teaching high school health, Michelle began speaking about Denise’s death and how it affected her life. She also started writing her book. She has spoken to schools and other organizations around the country including the 2000 American Association of Suicidology Conference in Los Angeles and the 2001 Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network’s Awareness Event in Washington, D.C. She co-chaired the 2003 American Association of Suicidology Healing after Suicide Conference held in Santa Fe, N.M. She is a co-founder of New Mexico Suicide Survivors, an organization devoted to reaching survivors around the state and also serves on the New Mexico Suicide Coalition.

Currently, she is an assistant high school cross country and track coach and beginning her doctoral work in family studies at the University of New Mexico. Recently she was named the new editor of the American Association of Suicidology publication Surviving Suicide. Michelle continues to travel the country, speaking and writing about suicide prevention and survivor issues. She is also editing her second book, this one a young adult fiction novel, and launching a line of jewelry with an old high school friend called The Inspire Collection to benefit suicide survivors and prevention. She lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with her husband of four years, Joe Gust.

Michelle can be reached 505-266-3134 or chelleheadworks"at"aol.com.