NFL Stars Shine Gametime Light On Mental Health And 988 Services

Week two of the NFL season had all eyes on Dallas as the New York Jets hoped to hand the Cowboys their first loss. But all eyes were on something more important whether they realized it or not. Jets defensive tackle Solomon Thomas’ and Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott‘s shoes were the real highlight of the game. Both stars wore customized warmup cleats with a special message regarding 988 and 741741.

988 is the official Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a national network of more than 200 crisis centers that provides 24/7, confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress in the United States. The 741741 Crisis Text Line serves people across the U.S. experiencing any type of crisis, as well as 24-hour emotional support and information through texting with a live, trained specialist. Anyone can access the line by texting “HOME” to 741741.

“In 2018, I lost my big sister Ella to suicide,” Thomas shared in a recent interview. “The pain of losing a loved one, especially a family member, to suicide was extremely overwhelming and filled me with a very painful journey of grief and sadness. It’s hard to know where to go for help and to learn how to continue to live this new life. In honor of my sister, my family and I started The Defensive Line, where our mission is to end the epidemic of youth suicide, especially for young people of color, by transforming how we connect and communicate through mental health. I couldn’t have survived this journey without the love and strength of my family and mental health resources like Crisis Text Line and 988,” he continued.

The Defensive Line, in collaboration with Prescott’s Faith Fight Finish Foundation, announced a month-long initiative with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to help draw attention to and make more people aware of the resources available to them and their loved ones.

Thomas’ profound loss came during his rookie season. A time when he felt it was his duty to be strong for his family and prove himself on the field. He admits it wasn’t until the general manager of his team at the time approached him to lend support and offer resources that he was finally willing to take them. As he talks about that time and his sister, Thomas also talks about the lessons he’s learned and hopes to share with others. Primarily that, “At the end of the day, we’re all so similar. We’re all going through this crazy world together, and being vulnerable is what connects us to each other.”

He shares his own vulnerability openly when describing the challenges he faced after losing Ella. Challenges with the stigma of death by suicide, as well as being able to understand his own emotions and find the words to properly describe them.

Mostly he didn’t want to be a burden on others. A problem he hopes other men, in particular, can overcome by learning that sharing yourself with others, good and bad, is never a burden. “Honor your feelings and emotions, and honor other people’s feelings and emotions,” he says when asked what the first step is to making progress after loss.

But Thomas also takes a very pragmatic approach to healing that he hopes equally resonates with fans. “We have to treat our brains like any other organ with an injury,” he says. Whether talking about depression, anxiety or suicidal ideation, he wants fans to, “Use science-backed methods to help heal. In my case, I had to learn the right language to communicate my feelings. I had to learn to walk with my grief, hold it with me and use it to honor my sister.”

No matter what one is dealing with there are resources and others willing to help. Let’s hope the message Thomas and Prescott are sending is heard by sports fans around the country, particularly in rural areas where 988 has not had as much exposure. And let’s honor the bravery of those willing to share their stories and their platforms so that others are more aware of the help available to them.

If you or someone you know is in need of help:

· Call: 988, Text: 988, or Chat at: 988lifeline.org/chat

· Text the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741)

· The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889

· Veterans can dial 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 to talk to someone or send a text message to 838255 to connect with a VA responder

· LGBTQ can also reach the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678