Christian Rück nominated for the August Prize
Hello there, Christian Rück, who has been nominated for the August Prize in the category Swedish Non-Fiction Book of the Year for the book “Ett liv värt att leva” (A Life Worth Living - Why suicide became man's companion), Albert Bonniers Förlag. On 25 November, the award winners will be presented at the August Gala.
How does it feel?
“It feels extremely fun! It's fun that a book that is about something so taboo can break through and get such attention. In addition, I had zero expectations, and that's when you get the happiest,” says Christian Rück, professor and researcher at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet.
Would you say that it has become more ok today to talk about poor mental health and perhaps suicidal thoughts than how it was before?
“Yes, I would definitely say so. It has become much more permissive to talk about poor mental health in general, but at the same time, suicide is very frightening for many. I've noticed that the subject is very sensitive – just saying "suicide" on the cover makes the curtain kind of go down for some people.”
You have done extensive research for the book – what touched you the most?
“I'm a psychiatrist and researcher in the field of suicide – the phenomenon is well known and researched. But approaching this problem, daring to get really close to the emotional core of the problem, has enriched me as both a researcher and a clinician. I have gained a broader understanding of the phenomenon after working on the subject for six years. It has given me a lot as a KI person as well,” says Christian Rück.