[UPDATE: The start date of the three-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 988 – reported in the post has been moved up to go live on Saturday, July 16.]
For 28-year-old Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, Tuesday, May 10, was a big day. In addition to being the featured speaker at Metrocare Services’ “Meal for the Mind” at the Hilton Anatole, it would have been his big brother Jace Prescott’s birthday. But instead of cakes, candles and celebrations for the man that Dak described as “my best friend,” it was not to be. The reason? Jace committed suicide on April 23, 2020.
This loss plus the death of his mother in 2013 due to cancer and Dak’s own game-changing injury on the football field in October 2020, should have been breaking points for a young man who had been thrust into the arena of national fame with all its monies, adoration and media attention.
But as he told KXAS Co-Anchor Laura Harris and the 400 guests including Dallas County Commissioners Dr. Elba Garcia and John Wiley Price, it was during the pandemic that he put some of his life lessons into place — to push through adversity. As he explained, “It sounds cliché, but really, I try to always find strength in adversity,”
Thanks to this push, Dak came out realizing that by being vulnerable and open to others he was not just helping himself but others.
The platform that Dak had would encourage others that by sympathizing. they would become empathetic to others. “It was just so important for me to be here today just to share with you all. Dealing with my own battles, short-term battles with depression and anxiety.”
And Dak was not just saying pretty words to the group gathered to support Metrocare Services’ mental health program. He had created the Faith, Fight, Finish Foundation that would focus on three main issues: breast cancer, mental health and community relationships with law enforcement.
One of the projects in the making is the creation of a national three-digit hotline much like 911 and 311 that would connect people facing mental health challenges with assistance.
According to Dak, he’s working with Las Vegas Raider Solomon Thomas and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention with the hope of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (aka “The Lifeline”) launch of 988 a little over a year from now. When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how the problems are affecting the callers, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary. It will work in addition to the current 800.273.8255.
One of the lessons that Dak shared with the audience was the importance of compartmentalizing. As he explained, it’s important not to bring the emotion of a past event to a current event. “It only clutters the mind.”
Following the conversation and a standing ovation, a meet-and-greet was held with Dak where he was refreshingly open and gracious with each person, making them feel as if they were the only one in the room.
One couldn’t help but think that Jace would have been proud to see how his kid brother was honoring him on his birthday by helping others push through adversity.