Cowboys ride for mental health

While cowboys are a popular symbol of resilience and self-reliance, the truth is very different. Cowboy communities have seen rates of addiction and mental health concerns surge, stemming from a deep-rooted practice of not sharing their emotions.

Suicide rates in the vast US agricultural states of Wyoming and Montana have become the highest in the country, with agricultural workers suffering more than most.

Cowboy Rand Selle's concluded that the pressures of living up to the tough guy reputation exacerbates the issue.

Rand Selle: "Cowboys are supposed to be tough. Like, we're, we're born and raised to be independent and not rely on anyone, and a lot of stuff we do is on our own. So, we don't have that communication skill to go elsewhere and talk and share our emotions, and I kind of think a lot of us struggle with that."

Rand was spurred into action having lost fellow rider Jonn Beer, who passed away from an addiction to the opioid Fentanyl, prescribed for trauma following a bronco riding accident.

Rand's loss drove him to establish 'No More Empty Saddles', based in Wyoming. The support group's solely committed to providing ways for cowboys struggling with mental health and addiction to reach out.

The dearth of resources and mental health services in the state is lamentable, claims mental health practitioner Sheryl Foland.

Sheryl Foland: "We don't have resources that you will find in other states. We don't have a mass group of mental health providers across the state or substance use disorder treatment professionals."

'No More Empty Saddles'' outreach initiative, 'Tom Horn Days' not only provides a community gathering for competing and showcasing rodeo skills, it's also a rare chance to forge friendships and encourage cowboys to access their outreach services.

Sheryl Foland: "I was here early last night, and, and I had a cowboy stop by. He'd been following us on Facebook, and he was OK. He just wanted a place to just talk. And that's what we gave him. And that's why we're here. We don't want to see any more needless death and destruction."

Proceeds from 'Tom Horn Days' fund efforts to grow a grass roots support network to counter the isolation and despair plaguing the community and prevent any more empty saddles.

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