Exclusive: Pro Barrel Racer Shelby Terrill Opens Up On Mental Health in Pro Rodeo

Mental Health, depression and suicide awareness has become a growing topic in today’s age and rightfully so. Sadly in the rodeo community it is still swept under the rug and is a taboo topic because cowboys and cowgirls are supposed to be “tough”. Being open about one’s mental health or being there for someone with mental health struggles doesn’t make you any less tough. I had the opportunity to sit down with Shelby McCamey Terrill, the founder of Yellow Felt Soul, a organization dedicated to tackling suicide awareness, depression and mental health in the rodeo industry.

Madi Roelofsen: Thank you for taking the time to discuss Yellow Felt Soul today (YFS). I know this is near and dear to your heart but before we jump into that why don’t you tell us a little bit about who you are and your personal rodeo experience?

Shelby Terrill: Thank you for wanting to sit down with me. So a brief synopsis of what I have done in rodeo- American Semi Finals Qualifier, Arena Record Holder, Pro Rodeo Barrel Racer, Fastest Time Wilderness Circuit Finals (also placed in all three rounds and won reserve).

Madi Roelofsen: On your Frenchman's Guy son, "Cuz I'm French?" He got the horse with the most heart award?

Shelby Terrill: Yes, ALL credit goes to Frenchie!

Madi Roelofsen: Now that we know who you are, what is YFS?

Shelby Terrill: YFS is a 501c3 non profit foundation for depression and suicide awareness.

Madi Roelofsen: What inspired you to create YFS?

Shelby Terrill: I came up with YFS in honor of my dad, whom committed suicide when I was only six years old, as well as my own personal struggles with depression and suicide attempts. I wanted to create an outlet for people in the rodeo world that was a judgment free zone. As well as to know that they are not alone.

Madi Roelofsen: How heartbreaking that you had to experience that as a child. Why the name Yellow Felt Soul?

Shelby Terrill: God. One night I was laying in bed and just felt this indescribable calling to start wearing a yellow felt in honor of suicide awareness.

Madi Roelofsen: Why the color yellow?

Shelby Terrill: Yellow because is one of the suicide awareness colors but its also superstition in the rodeo industry to not wear the color yellow.

Madi Roelofsen: So that created quite a shock when you wore that color into the arena?

Shelby Terrill: Oh yes. At the beginning I received a ton of backlash, people saying “Oh that’s why she hit a barrel cause she’s wearing yellow it’s bad luck." But people didn’t know the reason behind it yet. I will say though even some that knew the "why", still ridiculed but I just had to remind myself they aren’t the ones who gave me my calling, God did.

Madi Roelofsen: Wow, so your whole purpose is mental health awareness and they're ridiculing it. Is mental health, depression and suicide a problem in the rodeo world?

Shelby Terrill: Absolutely. In our industry it’s too taboo to talk about. It’s a well known saying to just “Cowboy Up”. Even the women are expected to show no signs of weakness. Just the other day we lost a friend and iconic rodeo photographer in the industry. I receive messages weekly and sometimes daily from cowboys/cowgirls battling with their own personal demons or loved one lost from suicide or even both.

Madi Roelofsen: I’m so sorry for your loss. It sounds like this is definitely an important topic that needs to be brought to light and discussed. What are some ways we can help spread awareness and the message of YFS?

Shelby Terrill: It’s simple. Just be kind and love one another. Everyone faces their own battles in life.

Madi Roelofsen: What are some of your plans and goals with YFS?

Shelby Terrill: I will never forget that when my dad passed, my mom did not have the money to bury him and had to go borrow money. I want to have grants for families to help honor their loved ones but also to help them in the months after because even though their life comes to a screeching halt the world continues revolving. But in all honesty, I want to have the sources for prevention of suicide not just awareness of it.

Madi Roelofsen: That’s so amazing. I know you have a Facebook page, Instagram, a website (which I will link below) and hosted a barrel race this spring to get the message out. I have also noticed some yellow worn at past NFR rounds and rodeos. I know there are rounds at the NFR that bring awareness to childhood cancer, breast cancer and to honor our military. Could we possibly be seeing a yellow night in our future?

Shelby Terrill: There is a non-PRCA affiliated Yellow Night during round six of the NFR. One day I do hope to have it PRCA affiliated.

Madi Roelofsen: I hope so too! So I have to ask, for those of us going to Las Vegas for the NFR this year, are we able to get a yellow felt of our own?

Shelby Terrill: Yes! We have an official Yellow Felt Soul yellow cowboy hat custom made by Western Legacy Company. Give them a call 817-594-4287 and they can create one special for you. You can order it before you head out to Vegas or go check out their booth at the Cowboy Christmas convention hall during the NFR.

Madi Roelofsen: I will have to give them a call! I hope to see an ocean of yellow this December during round six of the NFR, I know I will be decked out in it. Thank you so much for taking the time to share YFS and open your heart to us. Do you have anything you would like to end with?

Shelby Terrill: There are few things I want to leave you with. We live in a prideful world. That pride is not going to change anything, vulnerability will. Another thing is hurt people, hurt people. Suicide doesn’t end the chance of life getting worse it eliminates the chance of life getting better. My mission statement is to inspire those affected by depression and suicide, that they may have a life and a purpose by being a living example.

You can find more information about Yellow Felt Soul on her website and Facebook page as well as Western Legacy’s Facebook page so you can get a Yellow Felt for yourself!

If you or a loved one struggle with thoughts of suicide, do not hesitate to call or text the hotline at 988.