The importance of opening up about mental health struggles

"Someone could be smiling, someone could be dancing, laughing, having a great time, expressing all this joy, but on the inside, they could really be fighting a battle that you never know about." These are the poignant words of Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Solomon Thomas in describing his teammate Marshawn Kneeland, who died from an apparent suicide after fleeing a traffic stop in Frisco, Texas, on Nov. 6. Kneeland's death sent shockwaves through the Cowboys' locker room and the NFL, and from reading teammates' fond descriptions of him, it appears that no one detected that he was emotionally troubled. In his last game, Kneeland delivered an all-pro performance against the Arizona Cardinals. After his teammate Sam Williams blocked a punt, Kneeland recovered the ball in the endzone for his first NFL touchdown. I was stunned to read the sports headlines that Kneeland was dead after NFL fans were still raving about his special teams play. As more details have been released regarding Kneeland's death, it is apparent that he was able to conceal his mental challenges. In his teammates' reflections, they have spoken about the joy they saw in his approach to the game and the camaraderie they shared. At just 24, Kneeland's football future was bright. He had an inspiring story of going from two-star college recruit to second-round pick by the Cowboys in the 2024 NFL Draft. Looking at the video on X of Kneeland's draft selection, his family and close friends surrounded him, and they greatly rejoiced when his name was called. However, his mother, Wendy, was not there to witness this special, momentous event, as she died while Kneeland was training for the NFL Scouting Combine. I'm pretty sure that Kneeland was still going through a tough period of bereavement and carrying some heavy burdens that he was able to mask while on the field and in his regular day-to-day interactions. Masking or bottling up distressing emotions is something that many men tend to do in our culture. For situations similar to Kneeland's, this is especially troubling since suicide rates have steadily increased for African American men. According to 2023 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, suicide is the third-leading cause of death for Black male teens and young adults. Significant risk factors that make Black men more vulnerable to suicide have been examined in recent research. Steven M. Kogan, Ava J. Reck, Michael G. Curtis and Assaf Oshri, professors in the University of Georgia's Department of Human Development and Family Science, published a 2024 study that analyzed how hostile childhood experiences and racial discrimination contribute to suicidal thoughts and behaviors of Black men. Other well-known risk factors include financial stress and the stigma associated with acknowledging mental health battles. In Kneeland's case, money was probably not an issue, as he signed a four-year, $6.83 million rookie deal with $3.69 million guaranteed. More than likely, he may have felt uncomfortable reaching out for mental health support while still grieving his mother's passing. The release of Kneeland's final text messages, which the Cowboys' head of security called "concerning" regarding "mental health," is helping investigators better understand what Kneeland was going through. Kneeland's death will definitely be included in the ongoing discussions about suicide prevention efforts to help save the lives of young Black men. As there will be more conversations addressing access to mental health services and helping remove the shame of asking for assistance, I also hope to see more faith-based proposals. In mentioning this, I am thinking about men's ministries in churches that can encourage young males and teens who are emotionally troubled to learn to trust God, and as Psalm 62:8 says, to "pour out" their hearts to Him. If we could urge more men to share their struggles openly in a faith setting where they can experience genuine concern for their plight, they would be able to receive the spiritual healing and restoration they need to remain strong. They need to know that they do not have to suffer in silence and carry a weight of hardship alone. They can, as 1 Peter 5:7 states, "Give all (their) worries and cares to God." I am praying for Kneeland's family during this difficult time, and I hope that as his Dallas teammates continue to honor his life, young men who are battling similar trials will seek the spiritual and professional help they need. Dr. Jessica A. Johnson is a lecturer in the English department at Ohio State University's Lima campus.