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# THE DEFENSIVE LINE

Adult Mental Health Education to End Youth Suicide

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://thedefensiveline.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [NFL’s Solomon Thomas and Legend Kenny “The Shark” Gant Inspire Students at Dallas ISD’s Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy in Honor of World Mental Health Day](https://thedefensiveline.org/2025/10/solomon-and-kenny-bomla/) - 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
- [Tell Me About It: NFL Total Wellness and NFL Team Clinicians join The Defensive Line to Help Equip Caregivers in Supporting Youth Mental Health](https://thedefensiveline.org/2025/09/tell-me-about-pr/) - The Defensive Line and NFL Total Wellness announce a digital storytelling campaign to strengthen mental health conversations over the course of Suicide Prevention Month in partnership with team clinicians and athletes.[September 1, 2025, NEW YORK CITY & COPPELL, TEXAS] — The Defensive Line (TDL), a Texas-based nonprofit co-founded by NFL player Solomon Thomas dedicated to
- [The Defensive Line And Suicide Prevention For Underserved Communities](https://thedefensiveline.org/2025/10/tdl-suicide-prevention-forbes/) - By Eric Wood, Contributor. Dr. Eric Wood writes about college mental health and emerging adults Sep 30, 2025 at 01:04am EDT Earlier this month, a report on Forbes.com outlined how confusion about DEI bans are affecting suicide prevention efforts, even prevention efforts that are endorsed by the federal government. Part of this confusion is addressing how certain demographic groups
- [Dallas Cowboys’ Solomon Thomas Donates $25,000 to Hill Country MHDD Centers for Mental Health Services in Flood-Hit Kerr County](https://thedefensiveline.org/2025/08/solomon-thomas-tdl-hill-country/) - Dallas, TX — In the wake of devastating floods and ongoing recovery efforts across Central Texas, Solomon Thomas, NFL defensive lineman and co-founder of The Defensive Line, is donating $25,000 to Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Centers (Hill Country MHDD) to fund critical trauma-informed mental health services for the residents and first responders still recovering from the disaster. This contribution affirms both organizations missions and reflects
- [AFSP Facebook Live Townhall w/Thomas's and Cornelius's](https://thedefensiveline.org/2021/08/afsp-facebook-live-townhall-w-thomass-and-corneliuss/) - Our latest in the Elevating Voices for Long Lasting Change Town Hall series: “Families, Culture and Gen Z + Millennial Perspectives on Mental Health and Suicide Loss,” featuring AFSP’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Christine Yu Moutier, along with Solomon Thomas, Tony Cornelius, and their families. WATCH VIDEO
- [Why Mental Wellness Is at the Heart of Child Abuse Prevention](https://thedefensiveline.org/2025/04/why-mental-wellness-is-at-the-heart-of-child-abuse-prevention/) - April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to reflect, recommit, and reimagine what it means to truly protect our children. At The Defensive Line, we know that child abuse doesn’t just leave physical scars. The emotional and psychological wounds often linger for a lifetime. Survivors of childhood abuse are far more likely to experience
- [Facebook Live Work2BeWell and The Defensive Line](https://thedefensiveline.org/2021/08/facebook-live-work2bewell-and-the-defensive-line/) - Dr. Robin Henderson is joined by Chris and Martha Thomas, parents to Solomon Thomas, NFL defensive tackle. Join the conversation as they discuss suicide prevention and the partnership between the non-profit and Work2BeWell. WATCH VIDEO
- [One Mind Brain Waves](https://thedefensiveline.org/2021/08/one-mind-brain-waves/) - How does trauma impact communities of color? On Friday, Dr. Jenny Wang, Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Asians for Mental Health, and Dr. Kafui Dzirasa, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at @Duke University School of Medicine (Duke Med), discuss how trauma impacts the mental health of diverse and typically underserved communities. Las Vegas
- [Not Back in School - but Still Educating](https://thedefensiveline.org/2022/09/not-back-in-school-but-still-educating/) - For the first time in many years, I did not go 'back to school' this year. I did not prepare my lessons, my classroom or encounter that new school year anxiety that would creep up in late July. I did return to Coppell High School but in a much different capacity. Chris and I were
- [Every sack by the Raiders’ Solomon Thomas means a little bit more](https://thedefensiveline.org/2022/06/every-sack-by-the-raiders-solomon-thomas-means-a-little-bit-more/) - Hilarious. Great laugh. Animal lover. Loved harder than she could breath. A best friend. Made life go. There’s a watercolor painting in Solomon Thomas’ Las Vegas house — a sunflower, each leaf dotted with a different word or phrase. A family friend made the painting with words from Thomas’ eulogy at his sister’s funeral in
- [Solomon Thomas continues to honor his sister through The Defensive Line](https://thedefensiveline.org/2022/06/solomon-thomas-continues-to-honor-his-sister-through-the-defensive-line/) - Mar 11, 2022 After their loss, Solomon Thomas and his family started The Defensive Line. Listen to how he continues to honor his sister through his nonprofit as he speaks to Intermountain Healthcare's Chief Community Health Officer Mikelle Moore. WATCH NOW
- [Tackling Suicide Prevention with The Defensive Line and Intermountain Healthcare](https://thedefensiveline.org/2022/06/tackling-suicide-prevention-with-the-defensive-line-and-intermountain-healthcare/) - Suicide is major issue and especially in Nevada as the state ranks 9th in the country for suicide deaths. It is also the 9th leading cause of death in Nevada and the second leading cause of death for kids aged 10 to 24 nationwide. These statistics were gathered by AFSP. Intermountain Healthcare has made suicide
- [NFL 360: Solomon Thomas | BREATHE](https://thedefensiveline.org/2022/06/nfl-360-solomon-thomas-breathe/) - Just after the end of his rookie year in the NFL, defensive end Solomon Thomas was devastated by the suicide of his beloved sister Ella. In the wake of his loss, Solomon battled through his own depression, buoyed by the support of his GM John Lynch. Now Solomon honors Ella's memory through his foundation to
- [NFL Total Wellness Full Panel with Faith Fight Finish](https://thedefensiveline.org/2022/06/nfl-total-wellness-full-panel-with-faith-fight-finish/) - Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among individuals 18-24 years old. During this hour-long conversation, panelists covered how to identify the signs and symptoms of someone in need and the ways in which NFL player foundations are contributing to the expansion of suicide prevention education and resources. The panel was moderated by NFL Vice
- [Raiders' Solomon Thomas opens up about mental health struggle after death of his sister](https://thedefensiveline.org/2022/06/raiders-solomon-thomas-opens-up-about-mental-health-struggle-after-death-of-his-sister-2/) - Solomon Thomas plays defensive tackle for the Las Vegas Raiders and founded The Defensive Line Foundation after his older sister, Ella, died by suicide in 2018. The foundation aims to promote partnerships and increase education about mental health and suicide prevention, especially in youth of color. WATCH VIDEO
- [Raiders DT talks mental health](https://thedefensiveline.org/2021/10/raiders-dt-talks-mental-health/) - Less than 24 hours removed from an emotional opening-night victory, Raiders defensive tackle Solomon Thomas asked a group of teenagers to raise their hands if they felt like they knew a lot about mental health. The majority did. “That’s way more than I knew growing up, and that’s one of the reasons I’m speaking now,”
- [Raiders' Solomon Thomas opens up about mental health struggle after death of his sister](https://thedefensiveline.org/2021/10/raiders-solomon-thomas-opens-up-about-mental-health-struggle-after-death-of-his-sister/) - Solomon Thomas plays defensive tackle for the Las Vegas Raiders and founded The Defensive Line Foundation after his older sister, Ella, died by suicide in 2018. The foundation aims to promote partnerships and increase education about mental health and suicide prevention, especially in youth of color. WATCH INTERVIEW>
- [Raiders player shares story of mental health struggle, sister’s suicide with Las Vegas students](https://thedefensiveline.org/2021/10/raiders-player-shares-story-of-mental-health-struggle-sisters-suicide-with-las-vegas-students/) - LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — After Monday night’s big win, a Las Vegas Raiders player spent Tuesday night at Las Vegas City Hall meeting with the mayor and sitting down with students from across the city to discuss teen mental health. After his own struggles with mental health and a loss that forever changed his life,
- [BIPOC Mental Health Month: The Defensive Line on Suicide Prevention and Mental Health with Providence Health](https://thedefensiveline.org/2021/10/bipoc-mental-health-month-the-defensive-line-on-suicide-prevention-and-mental-health-with-providence-health-2/) - The Defensive Line Co-founders, Solomon, Martha and Chris Join us to talk about the importance of suicide prevention and mental health.
- [One Mind Brain Waves Livestream](https://thedefensiveline.org/2021/10/one-mind-brain-waves-livestream/) - How does trauma impact communities of color? On Friday, Dr. Jenny Wang, Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Asians for Mental Health, and Dr. Kafui Dzirasa, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine (Duke Med), discuss how trauma impacts the mental health of diverse and typically underserved communities. Las Vegas
- [Today Show: ‘You're not alone': Athletes speak out about mental health in the NFL](https://thedefensiveline.org/2021/10/today-show-youre-not-alone-athletes-speak-out-about-mental-health-in-the-nfl-2/) - By Kerry Breen As more and more celebrities and public figures open up about their mental health, some athletes say it still feels difficult to speak candidly about their struggles. TODAY’s Carson Daly sat down with four NFL players who are looking to break the stigma around mental health in sports on the newest episode
- [PRESS RELEASE: Solomon Thomas Pledges $8,000 per Sack to TDL](https://thedefensiveline.org/2021/10/press-release-solomon-thomas-pledges-8000-per-sack-to-tdl/) - Co-Founder Solomon Thomas, Defensive Lineman of the Las Vegas Raiders, is pledging $8,000 per sack this season to support his nonprofit The Defensive Line. The Defensive Line believes it is a moral duty to work towards ending youth suicide. $8,000 helps support suicide prevention workshops for educators and coaches in schools. These workshops provide: Essential
- [Players Tribune](https://thedefensiveline.org/2021/07/players-tribune/) - Whew, O.K., here goes. I’m not going to sugarcoat anything here. I’m going to be real with you right from the start. That’s how you lived your life, and I know that’s how you’d want it. So Ella, I gotta tell you…. I’m in pain right now. At this point, three years on, I’ve come
- [TDL Press Release](https://thedefensiveline.org/2021/07/tdl-press-release/) - Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Solomon Thomas announced today the establishment of The Defensive Line Foundation. The Defensive Line Foundation is dedicated to end the epidemic of youth suicide, especially for young people of color, by transforming the way we communicate and connect about mental health. The foundation will focus all its programmatic efforts on
- [Pandemic & MH in BIPOC Communities with NAMI Southern NV](https://thedefensiveline.org/2021/07/pandemic-mh-in-bipoc-communities-with-nami-southern-nv/) - LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Las Vegas-area health experts hosted a discussion on mental health in BIPOC communities. Newly-signed Raiders defensive tackle Solomon Thomas joined the discussion at the Pearson Community Center Tuesday evening. Thomas says starting the conversation about mental health is important but listening is just as important. SEE FULL ARTICLE
- [Full Video: Pandemic and Mental Health in BIPOC Communities](https://thedefensiveline.org/2021/08/full-video-pandemic-and-mental-health-in-bipoc-communities/) - By: KTNV Staff Posted at 6:37 PM, May 18, 2021 and last updated 2:17 AM, May 19, 2021 LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Las Vegas-area health experts hosted a discussion on mental health in BIPOC communities. Newly-signed Raiders defensive tackle Solomon Thomas joined the discussion at the Pearson Community Center Tuesday evening. Thomas says starting the
- [NFL Mental Wellness](https://thedefensiveline.org/2021/08/nfl-mental-wellness/) - Raiders defensive tackle Solomon Thomas opens up about mental health awareness in the wake of his sister’s suicide. For more information or to seek help: www.mhascreening.org. #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth
- [1 Star Recruits Podcast](https://thedefensiveline.org/2021/08/1-star-recruits-podcast/)
- [MedCircle Pt 2](https://thedefensiveline.org/2021/08/medcircle-pt-2/) - *Trigger warning: This video discusses suicide and suicidal ideation, and some people might find it disturbing. If you or someone you know is suicidal, please, contact your physician, go to your local ER, or call the suicide prevention hotline in your country. For the United States: Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255),
- [MedCircle Pt 1](https://thedefensiveline.org/2021/08/medcircle-pt-1/) - *Trigger warning: This video discusses suicide and suicidal ideation, and some people might find it disturbing. If you or someone you know is suicidal, please, contact your physician, go to your local ER, or call the suicide prevention hotline in your country. For the United States: Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255),
- [Today Show: ‘You're not alone': Athletes speak out about mental health in the NFL](https://thedefensiveline.org/2021/08/today-show-youre-not-alone-athletes-speak-out-about-mental-health-in-the-nfl/) - By Kerry Breen As more and more celebrities and public figures open up about their mental health, some athletes say it still feels difficult to speak candidly about their struggles. TODAY’s Carson Daly sat down with four NFL players who are looking to break the stigma around mental health in sports on the newest episode
- [People: A Conversation Starter, Men and Mental Health](https://thedefensiveline.org/2021/08/people-a-conversation-starter-men-and-mental-health/) - WATCH VIDEO HERE When it comes to talking about mental health, it can be difficult for men to feel like they can open up. That stigma is what Billy Porter, Justin Baldoni, Chase Stokes and more hope to change, and they’re working on that process in a frank conversation about their own mental health.
- [Solomon Thomas (Raiders DT) on going from the Bay Area to Vegas, Mental Health Awareness, and Vegemite](https://thedefensiveline.org/2021/08/solomon-thomas-raiders-dt-on-going-from-the-bay-area-to-vegas-mental-health-awareness-and-vegemite/) - Raiders DT Solomon Thomas weighs in on whether Julio Jones knew he was on live TV, updates us on his knee rehab, what its like out in Vegas, his new foundation, The Defensive Line, spending time in Australia, his love of Vegemite, playing at Stanford for David Shaw, getting drafted by the 49ers, playing with
- [BIPOC Mental Health Month: The Defensive Line on Suicide Prevention and Mental Health with Providence Health](https://thedefensiveline.org/2021/08/bipoc-mental-health-month-the-defensive-line-on-suicide-prevention-and-mental-health-with-providence-health/) - The Defensive Line Co-founders, Solomon, Martha and Chris Join us to talk about the importance of suicide prevention and mental health.

## Pages

- [Home](https://thedefensiveline.org/) - LEARN MORE Our Mission: To end the public health crisis of youth suicide by centering the experience of people of color and transforming the way we communicate and connect about mental health. Are you in crisis or need to talk to someone?TEXT "HUDDLE" to 741741 or CALL, TEXT, OR CHAT 988 - 24/7 days a
- [About Us](https://thedefensiveline.org/about-us/) - Solomon ThomasCo-Founder and Board Chair Solomon Thomas has played in the NFL for six seasons as a Defensive Lineman and is Co-Founder and Board Chair of The Defensive Line. Drafted as the # 3 overall player in the 2017 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers, he played 4 seasons for the Niners including Super
- [Newsletter](https://thedefensiveline.org/newsletter/) - To subscribe to our newsletter, scroll down to the sign up form and start receiving all the latest updates from our team!
- [Contact Us](https://thedefensiveline.org/contact-us/) - We are not clinical mental health professionals. If you are in need of mental health support or need someone to talk to, please call the: Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988 If you are interested in bringing The Defensive Line’s programs to your school, business, or organization, please fill out the form below. Our team
- [Donate to make a difference](https://thedefensiveline.org/donate/)
- [Donate to make a difference](https://thedefensiveline.org/donation2/)
- [NEWS & MEDIA](https://thedefensiveline.org/news-media/) - MEDIA We do not hold the rights to all videos shown below. Mental Health America Solomon Thomas Rising Hope Festival 2021 The Jim Rome Show Courage in Sports Chris Thomas Testimony My Brother's Keeper Alliance Conference https://youtu.be/SthtvyjLbHc RECENT NEWS NewsPress Releases NFL’s Solomon Thomas and Legend Kenny “The Shark” Gant Inspire Students at Dallas ISD’s
- [Our Impact](https://thedefensiveline.org/our-impact/) - Our Impact The Defensive Line (TDL) is a community for everyone, but focuses its programmatic efforts in places that serve over 50% young people of color 10-34 Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people ages 10-34 (CDC). 46 Suicide rates in the US increased by 46% between 2000 and 2019 from
- [Our Programs](https://thedefensiveline.org/our-programs/) - - Adult Mental Health Education to End Youth Suicide
- [Shop](https://thedefensiveline.org/shop/) - The Defensive Line is committed to ending youth suicide, especially for young people of color, by changing the way we communicate and connect about mental health. 100% of the profits from your purchase today will support TDL’s mission. Contact us for more information
- [Our Story](https://thedefensiveline.org/our-story/) - OUR STORY Ella Elizabeth Thomas died by suicide at the age of 24. She was the brightest light in any room — bold, funny, charming, feisty, brilliant woman and beautiful. Deeply loved and sorely missed, Ella’s loss has led the Thomas family to create The Defensive Line to help build a world in which no
- [COLLABORATORS](https://thedefensiveline.org/collaborators/) - We couldn’t do this without our collaborators. A Special Thanks to: Thank You to Our Educational Partnerships:

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## Tags

- [mental health](https://thedefensiveline.org/tag/mental-health/)
- [prevention](https://thedefensiveline.org/tag/prevention/)
- [emotional trauma](https://thedefensiveline.org/tag/emotional-trauma/)
- [mental wellness](https://thedefensiveline.org/tag/mental-wellness/)
- [abuse prevention](https://thedefensiveline.org/tag/abuse-prevention/)
- [suicide prevention](https://thedefensiveline.org/tag/suicide-prevention/)
- [therapy](https://thedefensiveline.org/tag/therapy/)
- [mental health services](https://thedefensiveline.org/tag/mental-health-services/)
- [Solomon thomas](https://thedefensiveline.org/tag/solomon-thomas/)
- [Hill Country](https://thedefensiveline.org/tag/hill-country/)