Thomas says he finished his senior year of high school in 16 weeks and, shortly after, started college at UCLA. He says he turned 18, graduated high school and started college football all within two weeks. However, he says it was in the middle of COVID, and he found himself alone, quarantined, enrolled in challenging classes, and participating in a physically demanding sport.
 
“I didn’t feel like I had the opportunity to really embed myself in the team and meet people like I wanted to, and so I just kind of started developing really poor habits of isolating and sleeping 12 hours a day,” Thomas says. “I just didn’t have anyone I could reach out to or lean on.”
 

In the video above, Thomas describes getting to the point where he gave up -- and how he knew something needed to change.
 
On Friday’s episode, “College Athletes and Suicide: A Quiet Crisis,” Dr. Phil speaks with three families who all lost a collegiate student-athlete daughter to suicide. Plus, learn about a suicide risk screening tool. Check local listings to see where you can watch.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts, dial 988.

WATCH: Questions To Ask To Evaluate A Person’s Suicide Risk

TELL DR. PHIL YOUR STORY: Life in crisis?