Dear reader, rockstar, king, queen, or whatever you prefer to go by,

You know me as Laney Jackson (Titze), the sarcastic and dry-humored radio host on Kool 98.3 from 12– 7. What you don’t know is that there is more to me than the voice you hear on your drive home. I’m a teacher, an artist, a student, and most importantly, a mental health advocate.

Since May is Mental Health Month, I felt called to share my story because I think it offers an important reminder, you never truly know what someone is carrying behind the smile they show the world.

In 2024, I struggled with generalized anxiety disorder, major depression, and seasonal affective disorder after my 15 year old brother, Tegan, died by suicide. But the truth is, I had silently struggled with my mental health for over a decade before ever asking for help. Losing my brother forced me to confront the reality that I couldn’t continue pretending I was okay.

Tegan wasn’t a statistic. He was a kind, gentle giant with a huge heart and a passion for welding, which was his dream career. He made people feel safe, valued, and loved. He should still be here.

After his death, I made the decision to seek help, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. For years, I hid behind humor, sarcasm, and terrible jokes as a coping mechanism. Now, I’m healing through proper medical care, support systems, and learning healthy ways to process grief and life’s challenges.

Healing isn’t linear. Some days are still hard. Life still throws unexpected challenges your way like breakups, job loss, grief, and uncertainty. But I’ve learned that one bad day should never define the rest of your life. There is no shame in asking for help on the hard days. Everyone needs support sometimes, and it’s okay to not be okay.

Images contributed by Laney Jackson (Titze)

Oftentimes, we hear the word “stigma,” but what does that really mean? Stigma is a negative stereotype, attitude, or belief surrounding a topic. When it comes to mental health, stigma can be deadly. I’ve lived in rural South Dakota my entire life, and I’ve seen how deeply rooted mental health stigma can be in our communities. I’ve heard phrases like “Just tough it out,” or “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps (I don’t even wear boots).” I’ve seen how small-town gossip can make people afraid to be vulnerable. I’ve seen how even saying the word suicide makes people uncomfortable. Avoiding hard conversations doesn’t save lives, but honest conversations can change a person’s life and open the door for support. I wish suicide had been a conversation my brother felt safe enough to have. I wish my family had known how deeply he was hurting so we could have gotten him the help he deserved.

According to the South Dakota Department of Health, there were 198 suicide deaths in South Dakota in 2024 (South Dakota Department of Health, 2025). My brother was more than a number. Every single one of those lives mattered. If you don’t think mental health is a crisis locally and, in our state, look around because it is much more prevalent than you realize. It’s silent, which is a terrifying reality.

So what can we do? I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I do know this, listening matters. Listen to your loved ones without judgment. Check in with a friend you haven’t talked to in a while. Smile at a stranger. Offer kindness. Ask someone how they’re really doing and be prepared to truly listen to the answer. The smallest moments of connection can make a bigger difference than you realize. You do not have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. I truly believe everyone has a purpose in this life, and I hope this article finds you exactly when you need it.

During this Mental Health Month, you may notice I’m not on air from time to time. I’ll be traveling across South Dakota sharing Tegan’s story, presenting to communities, awarding scholarships to students pursuing careers in mental health services or welding, and leaving encouraging rocks in public places through the #PebblesOfLight project. My hope is that these small acts create real change and maybe even remind someone to keep going.

The next time you hear my voice on the radio, I hope you remember there is a real person behind the microphone who genuinely cares about you. If sharing my story helps even one person seek help, start a difficult conversation, or find the strength to stay another day, it’s worth it.

You matter.

You are loved.

And there is always hope.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Sincerely,

Laney Jackson

The views in the article do not represent my employer and are strictly my own. The information cited in the article can be found at:

South Dakota Department of Health. (2025). Suicide surveillance report. State of South Dakota. https://doh.sd.gov/media/vpvbsv2s/2025-suicide-surveillance-report.pdf.