OCT 10, 2025, DALLAS, TX — In recognition of World Mental Health Day (October 10th), NFL Cowboy’s defensive lineman Solomon Thomas and two-time Super Bowl Champion Kenny “The Shark” Gant visited Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy on October 7th to lead an open and powerful conversation about mental health, suicide prevention, and the value of seeking help and supporting others.
The event was co-hosted by The Defensive Line, the Dallas Cowboys, and Dallas ISD Mental Health Services, the largest school-based mental health program in the country and the only one of its kind in Texas. The event brought together more than 535 students and staff, including 467 students, 48 educators, and over 20 staff representatives from Mental Health Services and other district departments.
During the session, Thomas and Gant spoke candidly about their own experiences and encouraged students to prioritize their emotional well-being. They emphasized that mental health deserves the same care and attention as physical health and reinforced the importance of breaking stigma through open, honest dialogue.
World Mental Health Day, recognized annually on October 10th, aims to raise awareness and strengthen efforts to support mental well-being around the world. The day serves as an important reminder that conversations about mental health can save lives, especially in Black and Brown communities, where cultural stigmas and limited access to care and resources often create additional barriers to support.
According to national data, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death among young people, with rates rising disproportionately among communities of color. Events like this one that bring together community partners, encourage open conversations among peers, and connect students with trusted adults and mental health resources play a critical role in building understanding and resilience. By creating space for connection and awareness, The Defensive Line and its partners are helping ensure every student knows they are not alone and that help is always within reach.
If anyone has a need for resources to help themselves or loved ones, there is help available. If anyone is in crisis, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, available 24/7, 365 days a year, or text “HUDDLE” to 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor. Connect with @thedefensiveline on social platforms for more mental health resources.
Representatives from The Defensive Line and Dallas ISD are available for interviews.
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About The Defensive Line
The Defensive Line seeks to end the public health crisis of youth suicide by centering the lived experience of people of color and transforming the way we communicate and connect about mental health. We address the need for social support in mental wellness through fostering personal vulnerability, redefining peer support, and providing trauma-informed suicide prevention training. Our programs empower educators, coaches, and mentors to recognize warning signs of a young person in crisis and respond with care and confidence. Through adult education, authentic community conversations, and advocating for legislative change, we’re building a world where no young person feels alone in their struggle.
About Dallas ISD:
The Dallas Independent School District is “one of the nation’s fastest-improving school districts,” according to the Council of the Great City Schools. It is a B-rated school district, with nearly 93% of its 228 campuses rated A, B, or C from the Texas Education Agency. Dallas ISD employs more than 22,000 team members to serve a diverse population of nearly 140,000 students. For more information about Dallas ISD, our website is www.dallasisd.org
Connect with Dallas ISD:
Dallas ISD Communications Department
970-952-3900
Connect with Dallas Cowboys:
Media Contact:
Isabel Contreras
she/her/ella
Fundraising & Marketing Manager, The Defensive Line
isabel@thedefensiveline.org
