Through our work at Active Minds, we encourage everyone to make a difference in the lives of people they interact with. One way to make a difference is to become a resource to people around you. Letting people know that it is okay for them to come to you if they need to can be extremely helpful. Another way to be a resource is by talking about mental health issues and starting conversations about the importance of taking care of your mental health.
We asked students interacting with the display “who has helped you through a difficult time in your life?” There were an overwhelming number of students that responded with: “My friends and family,” which shows that friends and family members can be a huge support system. There were also students that said therapy and the counseling center has helped them tremendously when they felt that they were struggling with a mental health issue.
Several visitors added backpacks and stories to the display
Students often mentioned their mom or dad being a great source of comfort to them through a tough time. That relationship can grow stronger when parent and child know that they have each other to reach out to. Talk to your parents openly about creating a support system when there are times that you feel like you are struggling. Another huge support mention was siblings. Brothers and sisters, whether older or older, can be a huge reminder of your importance. Siblings can remind you of reasons why your family needs you.
Friends are a great support while living on campus. Many students are away from family for the first time, so making lasting relationship with other students can be very important. Knowing that you have someone that you can turn to that may be dealing with similar things is a comfort that students can take advantage of. Whether you are feeling depressed, anxious, or having any other mental health issues having a friend can make all the difference.
Students can take advantage of the counseling center and various student-run organizations on their campus. Many campuses offer free or low-cost counseling services to students throughout the year. The University of Connecticut’s Active Minds chapter and many other mental health and suicide prevention organizations work hard to make sure that students have all the resources they need on campus. Sometimes it helps to know that someone that doesn’t know you cares enough to help you through a tough time. There are always resources when you are in need, so never give up searching for the right fit for you.
The National Suicide Lifeline is open at all times to anyone in the United States. Please call 1-800-273-TALK if you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide.
It was amazing to have Send Silence Packing at UConn today! It really seemed to touch a lot of hearts and I’m so happy to have been a part of it. Thank you for an awesome day!
Yesterday was absolutely amazing. Thank you so much for coming; it meant so much to so many people.
As one of the founders of Active Minds at UConn, I cannot give words to how meaningful it was to have Send Silence Packing at UConn, 4 years into our chapter’s growth. 3 years ago, I decorated my own backpack, inspired by Send Silence Packing. I became a walking advertisement, raising awareness about college student suicide and sending the message that there is hope and help available if you are struggling. I always said that I would donate my backpack to Send Silence Packing when I graduated, so how fitting it was to have this purely powerful display come to me less that a month before I don my cap and gown. At the dedication ceremony, I was not intending to say anything about my backpack, but I was so moved by the display in that moment that I couldn’t help myself. Two years ago, on March 28, 2010, I attempted to take my own life and am lucky and grateful to have survived. When I stand among the 1,100 backpacks at Send Silence Packing, I am reminded of how close I came to being one of them, one amongst a sea of hundreds. I have worked very hard to reclaim my life and my mental health. As a dedicated member of Active Minds at UConn, I realized for myself that an important part of mental health advocacy is fighting secrecy, shame, and stigma from the inside out. As a survivor, I think it is so important to share my experience and eliminate the secrecy that surrounds suicide. I think that is what Send Silence Packing is all about – starting the conversation about suicide in an effort to lessen the number of lives lost each year. Silence and secrets kill and awareness saves lives. I am grateful for Send Silence Packing because it gives dignity and a voice to stories like mine, creating new hope from the ashes of silent suffering. Thank you Active Minds.
Leah Nelson
As a graduate student at University of Connecticut from 2008 and 2010, I never saw that plaza behind Homer Babbidge Library used for much of anything. Looking at these pictures, I would adamantly argue that this was the most historic and important thing to happen in that space since its creation.
I am proud to be an alumna of the Active Minds chapter at UConn. What’s more, I am proud of the staying power of this chapter–it’s strength, innovation, and continued resolve over the last four years.
Thank you for this beautiful post about a display where I truly feel like a piece of my heart lives. And thank you Active Minds at UConn for doing what you do every day, every semester, every year.
This was an incredibly moving display. It was hard to stay composed while reading the personal stories on the backpacks. Send Silence Packing is making a huge difference in spreading awareness and I am so proud to say I am a member of Active Minds.
I myself was able to tell my story at Uconn’s Send Silence Packing which felt great, but most of all I think it was great and opened many peoples’ eyes to what an epidemic suicide really is
This is an awesome display, very moving and thoughtful. The best thing we can do in the fight against suicide is to spread awareness and get the conversation started. Hopefully the conversation about suicide will continue in efforts to spread awareness and help show to support to others suffering. Thank you!
I thought the display was a very powerful and moving event. It was an incredible way to raise awareness about student mental health and it was great to have so many resources available for students that many people aren’t really aware about. It was amazing to see so much conversation being sparked by the display and see people showing support, sharing stories, and gaining a lot of information that they can use and pass on and keep in mind. I think it would be great to make this event a tradition.
One of my friends pointed out how depressing the display was but then we discussed why it was important for it to be here. It was so overwhelming to see what 1,100 backpacks looks like and I think that’s what caught people’s attention the most. Thank you so much for coming here!
Excellent opening ceremony, very moving and emotion. Loved all the support from multiple groups on campus, can’t wait to see it next year!!!
Thanks so much for coming! It is amazing to have people break the silence and start the conversation. It was a moving display.
It was so great having Send Silence Packing at UConn. The display really sends and very powerful visual message and really brings awareness to the topic of suicide prevention. It was an honor be able to help out with such a great cause. It did so much for mental health awareness on campus. I really hope you guys visit again in the future!!
Thank you for coming! The program was extremely effective in getting the conversation started about mental health. I know a lot of people spent a lot of time just to read all of the stories. Thanks again!
Having Send Silence Packing at UConn was one of the most memorable experiences of my entire life. Having the opportunity not only to help set up and facilitate the display but also to work with, talk to, and make connections with people throughout the planning process, during the actual display, and even in the days that followed was truly amazing. The impact this display and experience has had on my life is truly amazing and is something I will never forget. Listening to the stories that were shared by several individuals at the event, reading the backpacks, and even sharing a bit of my own personal story with others through this program has been so inspiring and really reminded me why starting these conversations is so important and once again exemplified why Active Minds is such an important part of my life, why I’m so passionate about it, and why we do everything we do here at UConn. Thank you Brandon and Nicole for doing what you do and bringing such a wonderful program to UConn; without you it wouldn’t have been possible. And thank you to Active Minds Inc. for creating and facilitating this program, it was truly an honor to have it on our campus. This really has been one of the highlights of my undergraduate years here at UConn.