Editor’s Note: This story contains a discussion of a suicide.
FOXBOROUGH — Mack Hollins arrived at Gillette Stadium with an important message ahead of Thursday Night Football.
The Patriots wide receiver wore a white shirt with “988″ in block letters, which is the phone number for the suicide and crisis lifeline. On the back, Hollins’ shirt read “YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!”
In smaller writing, the front featured words including “alone, scared, silent, tired, trapped, hurt, broken, vulnerable, empty, misunderstood, prideful, forgotten” and “defeated,” while the back’s included “strong, enough, healed, supported, seen, loved, noticed, together, happy, joyful” and “loved.”
Last week, Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland took his own life. He was just 24 years old. In the aftermath, a number of Patriots told MassLive’s Matt Vautour that it was important for the locker room to be open with discussing mental health issues.
“It’s real big. We talk about it all the time. Anybody can reach out. It’s O.K. to not feel OK,” Christian Gonzalez said. “I let people know that if they want to talk about anything they’re feeling, I’m a resource. We have resources in the building.”
Linebacker Jahlani Tavai echoed the importance of those conversations.
“It’s on us as men to look after each other to make sure everyone is doing well. We’re all going through some stuff. Just asking a simple ‘How are you doing?’ can go a long way,” Tavai told Vautour. “So I always check up on everybody. The biggest thing is, I try to let my teammates know I’m here if they need anything.”
Coach Mike Vrabel also said he’d tried to be intentional in making sure players know there’s always help available for them.
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If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, you are not alone.
Samaritans Statewide Hotline: Call or Text: 1-877-870-HOPE (4673)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Press # 1 if you are a Veteran
The Trevor Helpline: 866-4-U-TREVOR (488-7386) Support designed for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth and young adults
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