When anyone dies being with family or those close the person who died, to mourn, express sympathy and support are an important part of the healing process for loved ones left to mourn and for the whole community.

Most of our friends die when their body wears out, usually after seeing and doing many things that we may never see or do. They have loved and been loved and taught and left a generation behind to continue contributing to our community. Too many have wasted away with some debilitating disease that the medical world is still trying to figure out.

In the mid 1960s, my dad died at 59 from an incurable cardiovascular problem that today’s doctors could have repaired to give him an extra 30 or more years.

Farming accidents are much too frequent and get both young and old.

The many facets of mental health and the one that we never talk about is ending one’s own life. It is more prevalent in the farming community than in the armed forces or even in soldiers returning with PTSD. I had three uncles who fought in World War II. Two were lucky enough to come home. One uncle had PTSD but in 1945 they just said, “He drinks too much,” but my dad knew why.

Every time someone takes their own life the whole community asks “Why?”

Sometimes there has been a history of some mental problems in past years. Sometimes there was never a sign of any problem to family members, friends, doctors or spiritual leaders. None of these matter to family and friends who are left behind to wonder why for the rest of their lives.

The three most unpopular topics to discuss and the three subjects that a farming community is least likely to be present at information days for are farm safety, mental health and suicide prevention.

The more eyes there are to look for problems, the more likely we are to try to correct or ask for help before much more serious results occur. Let’s never let a serious injury or a life be in vain.

Good neighbours always are there for and support family and friends. But also ask for and attend courses that may someday save a life.

Chris Judd is a farmer in Clarendon on land that has been in his family

for generations. gladcrest@gmail.com

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