I’m moved to write this letter of appreciation to the local pastoral community for their continued efforts to address suicide by sponsoring the weekly National Suicide Prevention Hotline advertisements in The Mountaineer. It’s important to note their efforts are directed to the entire community, not just their own congregations. They offer help to all, regardless of religious affiliation, church attendance, etc. I’m painfully intimate with the work they do. My brother, Randall Tyler, and I grew up on the family farm on Lonesome Prairie. We grew up in the farmhouse where our dad, Dick Tyler, was born. Our dad was born on the farm and died on the farm at his own hands in September of 2016. After his death, I launched the Ask In Earnest (www.askinearnest.org) initiative.

The goal of Ask In Earnest is to bring the topics mental health, depression and suicide into our normal daily conversations and behaviors with the goal of preventing suicide in the farm and ranch population. My brother and I agreed we need to do what we can to help prevent another farm family, or any family, from experiencing the devastation caused by suicide. I like to think that if programs like this existed when our dad was struggling, he would still be with us today.

Everywhere I go, I see people nod their heads in agreement when discussing the topic of mental health and the agricultural community. People constantly tell me, “We need to talk about this more.” Farmers and ranchers have multiple, unique risk factors that can make them more susceptible to depression and suicide. Yet, we can literally save lives by Asking In Earnest. Suicide thrives in secrecy, shame and silence. Let’s work together to change that.

Thank you,

Darla Tyler-McSherry

Founder, Ask In Earnest Initiative

Shepherd, Montana