The Defensive Line And Suicide Prevention For Underserved Communities

Earlier this month, a significant article on Forbes.com highlighted the confusion surrounding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and their unintended consequences on suicide prevention efforts, even those backed by federal support. A central aspect of this discussion focuses on the higher risk of suicide faced by certain demographic groups. Martha Thomas, Co-founder and Chief Education Officer of The Defensive Line, has actively worked to combat this issue following the tragic loss of her daughter, Ella, to suicide. Along with her family, Martha created The Defensive Line to raise awareness for suicide prevention, specifically targeting underserved communities and Black and Brown youth who experience stark mental health disparities.

Over the last four years, the Thomas family has shared their harrowing story of loss across the nation, speaking at over 80 schools, organizations, and companies. They crafted a comprehensive two-hour training workshop—the “DLINES Suicide Prevention” training—designed to equip participants with the skills to recognize signs of a mental health crisis, understand the effects of suicide, and implement effective intervention strategies. A key feature of these workshops is the inclusion of both experts and individuals with personal experiences related to suicide. As Martha remarked, “Personal stories will humanize the subject matter and provide participants with concrete examples of overcoming mental health challenges.”

The Defensive Line’s initiatives have garnered notable recognition. In 2025, Martha received the D Magazine CEO’s nonprofit and corporate citizenship award for leadership excellence. Martha’s husband, Chris Thomas, serves as an executive committee member for the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. Their son, Solomon Thomas, has made headlines for his dedicated advocacy for suicide prevention and is also a nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.

The Need To Target Underserved Communities

Martha emphasizes the critical importance of focusing on underserved groups, particularly Black and Brown youth. She articulates, “By concentrating on these communities, we aim to tackle the unique cultural, social, and economic challenges they experience.” To effectively engage higher-risk demographics, training must be culturally relevant, incorporate personal narratives from Black and Brown individuals, be accessible in both English and Spanish, and empower community members through training as facilitators.

Results from The Defensive Line’s training sessions highlight the program’s effectiveness: 94% of participants reported feeling comfortable initiating conversations about mental health, 98% indicated the training helped them outline actionable steps to support their students’ well-being, and there was a remarkable 57% increase in participants’ ability to identify mental health warning signs.

Engaging With Underserved Communities

A recent report from the Pew Research Center in 2025 reveals a grim reality: suicide rates among Black youths are rising at a faster rate than any other racial or ethnic group, with an alarming 144% increase in suicide rates among Black adolescents between 2007 and 2020, contrasting with an overall decline in youth suicide rates. The report underscores that a significant risk factor is the relative lack of access to mental health support for Black youths compared to their peers from other backgrounds.

Martha points out that suicide prevention extends beyond merely relying on mental health professionals. She argues, “Current intervention services are inadequate; a shift toward prevention is imperative. To counteract this crisis, we must transform societal norms, merging research, advocacy, education, and funding into a multifaceted approach to suicide prevention.”

Although recent findings reported in NBCnews.com suggest that Americans remain divided regarding DEI programs, surveys like the 2024 Public Perception of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Poll consistently reveal a positive attitude among Americans towards suicide prevention initiatives. Organizations like The Defensive Line are making vital contributions by engaging underserved communities to help save lives.