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The Defensive Line, in collaboration with The Faith, Fight, Finish Foundation, is proud to announce a month-long initiative with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), Crisis Text Line, provider of the 741741 text-based mental health support service and Vibrant Emotional Health, the administrator of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This groundbreaking alliance aims to amplify access to free, around-the-clock mental health and crisis support for individuals in need, coinciding with National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

Through a series of collaborative initiatives and outreach efforts, The Defensive Line, The Faith, Fight, Finish Foundation, ASFP , Crisis Text Line, and Vibrant Emotional Health will work together to expand mental health resources, reduce stigma, and increase awareness about the importance of seeking help during times of crisis. The collaboration represents an unwavering commitment to making crucial support services more accessible and widespread.

“In 2018, I lost my big sister Ella to suicide. 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,” said Solomon Thomas, an American football defensive tackle for the New York Jets. “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. You aren’t alone; there is help to guide you through this hard journey. If you ever need support, please reach out by texting 988 or HUDDLE to 741741.”

Suicide is a public health crisis, particularly among our youth. In 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 40 percent of high school students felt sad or hopeless every day for two or more weeks in a row. Suicide was the second leading cause of death among adolescents after unintentional injury and accounted for approximately one-fifth of all deaths among high school students.

“No matter what you’re going through, being able to share your thoughts and feelings is critical to your mental well-being,” said Dak Prescott, an American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. “After my brother Jace passed away due to suicide, I had to deal with many emotions, but I learned how to cope through the amazing mental health support I received. This is why the nonprofit organization I founded, Faith Fight Finish, focuses on mental illness by helping people always know that they are not alone, that there is help out there to help you get through the darkest moments in your life.”

Join us as we stand together to ensure no one faces mental health challenges alone. Together, we can make a difference and provide the support and compassion that every individual deserves.

Lifesaving resources exist to help young people struggling with mental health challenges and everyday stress. For support in English, call, text 988 or chat online or to reach a live Crisis Text Line volunteer Crisis Counselor, text HUDDLE to 741741 or via webchat. For support in Spanish, text or chat online to 988 or text AYUDA to 741741 or via webchat.