Suicide rates in rural America are soaring, and Montana has the highest suicide rate in the nation. A new free resource is now available to help the farm and ranch community address the unique stressors associated with agriculture, depression and suicide. The name of this initiative is Ask in Earnest. Funded by the Yellowstone Valley Suicide Prevention Coalition, http://www.askiearnest.org is a mobile-friendly site that is designed to raise the level of awareness of the prevalence of suicide in Montana farm and ranch communities and to engage rural populations in a community-based effort of suicide prevention.

The founder of this initiative, Darla Tyler-McSherry, knows firsthand of suicide’s devastation. Her father, Dick Tyler, a Montana wheat farmer, took his own life on the family farm. Darla says, “We need to address mental health, depression and suicide in rural communities. Research shows that one suicide tremendously impacts 25 people, and another 115 are exposed to suicide’s devastating impact. One hundred forty people can be a significant portion of many Montana farming and ranching communities. We need to take action now to save lives.”

For more information, contact Tyler-McSherry at askinearnest@hotmail.com.