“Send Silence Packing” national exhibit to be on display at College Green on Sept. 3

Hundreds of backpacks will line OHIO’s College Green as part of Active Minds’ acclaimed Send Silence Packing exhibit on Tuesday, Sept. 3, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The exhibit, which includes personal stories from individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide, is designed to raise awareness about the impact of suicide, connect individuals to mental health resources and inspire action for suicide prevention.

“This exhibit has the power to serve as a mobilizing force that changes the way we think, talk and feel about mental health,” said Stephanie Maccombs-Hunter, assistant director for outreach and consultation within Counseling and Psychological Services at OHIO. “We’re proud to have an opportunity to display this impactful exhibit and to help our University community learn more about the mental health and suicide prevention resources that are available across OHIO.”

Funding for the display was donated by the Ross Griffin Memorial Foundation.

PLEASE NOTE: If you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of self-harm, please call Ohio University Counseling and Psychological Services at 740-593-1616, or simply dial 988. You can also text HOME to the Crisis Help Line (available 24/7) at 741741.

Since its inaugural display on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in 2008, Send Silence Packing has reached over a million visitors and counting with messages of hope and help. Evaluation data attests to the display’s impact - most visitors leave wanting to learn more about mental health and the majority tell three or more people about the display and may reach out to a friend in need or seek help for themselves as a result of experiencing it.

Active Minds also recently launched a companion exhibit designed to complement the in-person program - Send Silence Packing: Behind the Backpacks. This virtual, immersive experience gives users an in-depth look at the impact of suicide through personal stories, stigma reduction techniques, and visual components such as videos, photos, and audio. Visitors to Send Silence Packing will have a chance to learn more about Behind the Backpacks and easily share this program with friends, family, and their communities. This can be experienced both at the exhibit and at home.

“I founded Active Minds as a freshman in college following the death of my brother, Brian, to suicide in order to end the stigma around mental health. Stigma is shame, shame causes silence, and silence hurts us all,” said Alison Malmon, founder and executive director of Active Mind. “Send Silence Packing is a highly visible way to combat that stigma, increase openness, and inspire action for suicide prevention. Thank you, Ohio University, for bringing the 2024 exhibit to your community to help continue to spread awareness and inspire action around mental health and suicide prevention efforts.”

More information about Send Silence Packing or Behind the Backpacks can be found at activeminds.org/ssp.