Tuesday, March 19, 2024
8.8 C
Galway
HomeFarming News‘We still think he is going to walk through the door’ –...
Catherina Cunnane
Catherina Cunnanehttps://www.thatsfarming.com/
Catherina Cunnane hails from a sixth-generation drystock and specialised pedigree suckler enterprise in Co. Mayo. She currently holds the positions of editor and general manager at That's Farming, having joined the firm during its start-up phase in 2015.
Reading Time: 3 minutes

‘We still think he is going to walk through the door’ – sheep farmers talk about son’s suicide

On January 1st, 2022, Lynda and Andy’s lives changed forever following the tragic loss of their son, Len Eadon (22), to suicide.

As part of Farm Safety Week, initiated by the Farm Safety Foundation in the UK, the sheep farmers, based in Warwickshire, have appealed to the farming community to raise awareness about mental health.

They appear in a video on Yellow Wellies’ YouTube channel, where they open up about the loss of the son and the importance of speaking out and seeking help if and when required.

They explained: “We went out working that day, scanning on New Year’s Day, and the police contacted us to go home.”

“We were greeted by two police officers at the door, who gave us the news. Unfortunately, our son had taken his own life.”

“We still think he is going to walk through the door. We would love him to come through the door, but it will not happen.”

- Advertisement -

Lynda said that it is a case that they are just “desperately” trying to put the jigsaws of our life back together with “a lot” of the pieces missing.

Young farmer’s suicide

Lynda added: “If we can just stop one other person doing this and the way we felt we could do that was to use our voices.”

“Since we lost Leonard, I have seen a lot of grown men cry. I hve been quite pleased to see it because it has been an outlet of emotions.”

“This is the only legacy I have left of my son. And if we can raise awareness in the rural community, this is a start of building bricks.”

Lynda explained that after they lost their son, it unearthed a desire to “do something and to give something back”.

They created a website, where people can donate money to three charities, but also wanted to move forward and hold a main event to get everybody together within the farming community primarily, to talk.”

Five-a-day-challenge

His father devised a five-a-day challenge to keep yourself safe, which he then explained in the video.

Firstly, be honest with yourself and those around you. Secondly, talk openly about daily challenges and be prepared to listen.

Thirdly, care for yourself as you care for others. Fourthly, contact that person you have been telling yourself you should. Finally, plan for the unexpected and make the right choices.

Lynda: “My hope for this story, as sad as it is, and it is unfortunately very common, but because he was so well-known and it has shocked so many people, I want people to keep talking about it and keep remembering him.”

“People need to realise that they need to understand how they are feeling themselves,” she concluded.

Other articles on That’s Farming:

- Advertisment -

Most Popular