The Syracuse University community could not ignore the magnitude of the Send Silence Packing exhibit that was on the Quad Monday. SU should recognize that mental health and suicide are issues that cannot be overlooked and Active Minds should continue in its efforts to bring awareness to these concerns.

Send Silence Packing is a traveling exhibition of 1,100 backpacks, which represent the number of students who die annually from suicide. The backpacks are donated in memory of the individuals who have died and include their photos and personal stories. The exhibit began in 2008 and had previously had come to SU in the spring of 2012.

Hearing that 1,100 college students die from suicide every year is upsetting, and seeing 1,100 backpacks in memory of those students is haunting. The exhibit was reminiscent of the Remembrance Chairs that are placed on the Quad during Remembrance Week to honor the students who died in the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing. Accordingly, the atmosphere on the Quad was solemn and reflective.

There is a need for increased visibility for matters concerning mental health on college campuses. Several student organizations, including Active Minds, have been vocal in requesting another campus psychiatrist over the past year. Mental health resources must be available for students, but students must also look after one another and recognize that they can turn to one another for support.

The backpacks were on display from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and in such a high traffic area, the exhibit reached a large number of people. In addition to students, faculty and staff, there were many prospective students touring campus with their families on Monday.

Banners and tables that provided more information for people who wanted to learn more accompanied the backpacks. The exhibit gave passersby the option to choose to engage by stopping and reading the individuals’ stories, and at the same token could not be overlooked by even the most casual participant.

Send Silence Packing pushes students to recognize the ability they have to combat mental health and suicide, as well as starts a dialogue about the enormity of the issue.

Active Minds should continue to advocate for students who seek mental health services and to combat the stigma surrounding mental health. The group should also consider doing events similar in nature, which don’t just spout statistics but humanize a topic that can be difficult to talk about.

Published on April 20, 2015 at 10:58 pm