Beyond the Game: Dallas Cowboys football player supports district students
In the whirlwind of academic responsibilities, forming their identities, and managing life outside of school, students are vulnerable to emotional and mental health struggles. Through the efforts of Dallas ISD’s Mental Health Services and the broader community, students are gaining access to the resources they need to navigate these challenges.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, poor mental health in adolescence is more than just “feeling blue,” and it can affect many areas of a teen’s life, such as school performance, decision making, relationship building and physical health.
Through a recent collaboration with Dallas Cowboys player Solomon Thomas, Mental Health Services is continuing to offer high schools students access to resources that promote well-being and academic success.
Thomas’ nonprofit, The Defensive Line, has a mission to help end the public health crisis of youth suicide, especially among people of color. One meeting at a time in Dallas ISD schools, he is transforming the way of communicating and connecting about mental health.
During recent visits to Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy, South Oak Cliff High School, and Dr. L.G. Pinkston Sr. High School, he has motivated and inspired students by sharing personal stories about his life.
Thomas knows first-hand the highs and lows that students may face. Driven by the loss of his sister to suicide in 2018, he has become a mental health advocate for teens, and speaks openly about navigating grief, coping with loss, and the importance of mental health and what it means to take care of your mind and body.
In November, Thomas visited athletes and students at South Oak Cliff High School to talk about resilience and overcoming difficult moments.
“It’s important for young athletes to learn how to take care of the mental side of the game of football,” Thomas said. “It’s something we talk about as professionals, but not as much as young players. We have to take care of our health so we can use your mind well when we play our games. When your mind isn’t correct, your body isn’t going to feel right.”
This visit came during a national conversation about mental health, following the recent death of Thomas’ teammate, 24-year-old Marshawn Kneeland.
In 2023, the CDC found that four in 10 students had persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. But these facts are not a measure of defeat because research shows that young people are resilient, and feeling connected to their school and community is one way to support their mental health.
During his visit, Thomas shared with students how he copes with difficult emotions. He explained that he uses journaling and meditation to work through overwhelming thoughts about the future, daily pressures, and uncertainty.
While at South Oak Cliff, the Gene and Jerry Jones Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Dallas Cowboys, donated $10,000 to the district’s Mental Health Services to support mental health programs and resources.
District campuses offer a strong school culture, academic and social clubs, and a range of resources, including counseling and psychotherapy, behavior interventions, mental health consultation, crisis intervention, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and wraparound services, supported by Mental Health Services.
For both staff and students, feeling connected and leaning on school, family and community resources can be life changing. For more information on the services offered by Dallas ISD Mental Health Services, please visit Dallas ISD Mental Health Services.
