Utah Valley University, in partnership with Intermountain Health and The Defensive Line, hosted "The Strongest Play Is Asking for Help," an event highlighting the importance of mental health awareness among young adults, according to an October 8 report.
The panel discussion took place on Thursday in the UVU Ballroom and was attended by all UVU student-athletes and coaches.
The event was hosted by Chris and Martha Thomas of The Defensive Line, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing suicide among young adults by changing how people communicate and connect. The organization was founded by Solomon Thomas, a defensive lineman for the Tennessee Titans, and his parents following the loss of their daughter and sister, Ella, to suicide.
Panelists included UVU student-athletes Paige Shumway of softball and Cameron Jacobs of cross country and track and field. Also participating were UVU wrestling head coach Adam Hall, UVU sports psychologist Dr. Clint Norseth, and former UVU sprinter and Olympic skeleton athlete Akwasi Frimpong, who represented Ghana at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.
During the event, Jacobs discussed the challenges of losing his father in 2025 and the responsibility of supporting his family while navigating grief. He noted that he initially attempted to push his emotions away but found support through teammates, coaches, and family.
Shumway spoke about how injuries and recovery impacted her mental health. After undergoing two surgeries, she described feeling beaten down and struggling to find purpose in softball. She stated that while many believe therapy makes athletes weak, the experience changed her life and helped her find a healthier path.
The event provided a supportive environment for UVU student-athletes to discuss mental health, understand that it is okay not to be okay, recognize signs of emotional distress in others, and learn about available resources.
