Schindler Speaks After Parking Her Bike

When I spoke with Glasgow's Sarah Schindler at the Busted Knuckle on June 16, she was well within striking distance of completing her ride across Montana to raise awareness for suicide prevention. Contemplating her goal of crossing the North Dakota state line, she grinned and said, "I'm so close I can taste it."

Three weeks later, Schindler says, "I feel like my work is just starting. Suicide prevention starts with us on an every day level, from being kind and understanding people, to recognizing warning signs, and starting discussions on mental health. Let's not forget that on average, someone dies by suicide in Montana every 35 hours, which is an aggressive rate that won't slow down without our help."

Thanks in part to efforts by individuals like Schindler, who did indeed finish her trip across the Hi-Line, Montana's dismally high suicide rate has become part of a larger discussion about suicide on the national level. Congressman Ryan Zinke responded quickly when contacted for comment about both Schindler's trip and the cost of silence on such a pressing subject:

"It is truly heartbreaking that Montana leads the nation in suicides per capita," he explained via email. "Nearly every one of us has felt the deep loss of these terrible tragedies. I am committed to working with my colleagues to have the tough and necessary conversations to bring this issue to light. If we can prevent even one more Montanan from taking their own life, it's worth the fight."

Schindler, whose family has been touched by suicide, demonstrates the kind of passion for reform that any experienced organizer will tell you makes all the difference.

"I worked hard to collaborate with local suicide prevention coalitions, community leaders, mental health associations, veteran groups, tribal representatives, and other volunteers spreading the word across the entire state that there is hope, please reach for it. We care; I care. No more hiding in the dark dealing with depression and suicide alone. Let's bring the subject out of the darkness, into the open, where it can be discussed and dealt with- where there's hope and you're not alone."

With the help of her support team (especially her mom and dad, Annette and Steve), Schindler successfully raised $7,862 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the first national-scope not-for-profit organization dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide.

"While we are doing our part in suicide prevention," Schindler adds, "our legislative leaders are also doing theirs. Let's be thankful for leaders like Congressman Zinke who is working to co-sponsor bills like the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, to improve scientific research on mental health in our state, and enhance screening tools for primary care providers."

Schindler also wishes to thank Shelly George with Thrivent Financial, whose contributions covered the majority of her support team's fuel expenses.

If you or someone you know are in crisis, please call the AFSP national hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), dial 911, or visit your nearest emergency room.