Breaking the SIlence
of Cowboy CodE
Organizations in WYoming are prioritizing Mental Health to show cowboys they are not alone.
I
n the western industry, where grit is required and
toughness is celebrated, exists an unspoken battle
against mental health and its devastating consequences
— suicide. Behind the scenes of the rugged cowboy hats
and dusty arenas, individuals struggle with heavy burdens,
often overlooked by a culture that values silence over
seeking help.
The Cowboy Cole Memorial Foundation and No More
Empty Saddles are two 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
located in Wyoming working to raise awareness for mental
health and provide resources to those hurting.
Based in Cheyenne, The Cowboy Cole Memorial
Foundation is on a mission to promote mental health
for young adults and youth, particularly in the rodeo
community. The team behind the foundation relies on the
support from members and volunteers in their community,
along with collaboration of other organizations, to make a
meaningful di«erence in the lives of others.
The foundation was formed in response to the tragic loss
of Cole Allen on October 5, 2021.
Cole Allen graduated from Burns High School in May
of 2021. In the fall, Cole Allen started at Central Arizona
College where he was on the rodeo team, worked for a
ranch and helped professional team roper, Eric Rodgers,
host an event at his house. Cole Allen experienced
success in the rodeo arena in the short five weeks he lived
in Coolidge.
Cole Allen's mother, Andrea Allen, reflected on his life
and his silent struggles with depression after ambitiously
turning steers and going to school.
"Cole was in the right place, surrounded by the right
people for his industry and doing well as far as anyone
could tell," Andrea Allen said.
"He was really trying to take care of this on his own. I don't
think he had the skills or ability to know it was depression
and what you're supposed to do in treating it."
The brokenhearted family started the Cowboy Cole
Memorial Foundation as a way to move forward from this
tragedy, but more importantly, to equip students who
can relate to Cole Allen's feelings and increase suicide
awareness. Through collaboration with other foundations,
this has become a possibility.
Alongside the Jae Foundation, the Cowboy Cole
Memorial Foundation has funded and donated cowboy
boots to high school seniors in Laramie County School
District #2. In doing this, the foundation hopes to support
high school upperclassmen as they prepare for their
journey to college.
"When you're a senior in high school, you're on top of
the world, and then you graduate and your entire life
changes," Andrea Allen said explaining the impact this has
on the kids.
By Lauren Fritzler
