We’ve been getting some pretty creative entries for our truck swag contest…

This guy’s name is Squirrel Steve Corncob and we are told he is a “true corn husker” who can also be a little “corny” at times. What a great outfit, jeans and all! Thanks, UNK!

We also received some great artwork on a beautiful piece of Wyoming rock. Say hello to Cowboy Joe! Thank you, University of Wyoming!

We’re looking forward to more truck swag! Can’t wait to meet you Montana State University

Maggie McWilliams, President

Hi, I am Maggie, the president of chapter 154 at the University of Wyoming. This is our second year as a chapter. We could not believe the participation in Send Silence Packing, from logging on to the Pepsi challenge and voting, to hosting the awareness campaign.

In response to Kristin Chamness:

1. What has been your most successful Active Minds recruitment tool?

To date, the most successful recruitment tool has been this campaign.

2. How do you generate excitement around a heavy topic?

To generate excitement we have found by focusing on life, “the blessings of it” and the support of the entire campus and counseling center on campus helps reduce the heaviness of the topic.

3. Have you experienced any resistance and how did you deal with it?

We had never experienced a negative reaction until this project. I think the number of students who showed up and volunteered created an attraction for extremists to protest.

Maggie’s questions for the Montana State University chapter:

1. What will you do to promote Send Silence Packing on a small scale on your campus?

2. How did students respond to the display?

3. Do you know what the distance from University of Wyoming to Bozeman in miles?

Sean Moran, Secretary

I joined because I find these issues to be important and have faced suicidal ideation in the past. I am a psychology and sociology major. I would like to be a social worker focusing on mental health and violence issues.

In response to Amanda Raffety:

1. What is your favorite pastime?

I love to listen to music.

2. What is your oddest phobia?

I have a phobia of church sanctuaries.

3. What is your favorite thing about Active Minds?

I love the positive and empathetic environment.

Sean’s questions for the Montana State University chapter:

1. What is your favorite Active Minds event?

2. What do you plan to do in the future?

3. Where do you wish to go after college?

Mika Moriwaki, Treasurer and Student Advisory Committee member of Active Minds, Inc.

My country, Japan, has a much higher suicide rate and huge stigma surrounding mental disorders. I was so surprised that the United States has such a unique organization and that Wyoming has a very high suicide rate. After I came to the United States many people helped me a lot. Now is the time that I can do something for people. Also, I would like to help make a positive difference in Japan. I would like to devote myself to the mental health field for the rest of my life. That is why I joined.

In response to Jordan Isaac:

1. What is your favorite summer activity?

Going back to my home and hanging out with my friends. It is precious in my life.

2. What’s your favorite band/artist and why?

Sorry, I do not know.

3. What’s your favorite movie?

Chicago! I love musical movies and this movie is the best!!

Mika’s questions for the Montana State University chapter:

1. What event was most successful in your chapter?

2. How do you feel right now?

3. What is your favorite musician?

Kristin Chamness, Advisor

The Active Minds chapter at UNK started three years ago. We have and continue to have amazing campus and community support. Two years ago we were talking in a meeting about how cool it would be for us to create a “Send Silence Packing” display- 15 backpacks in we discovered how tedious the job would be and we scratched the idea. We were so excited when we got the call that Send Silence Packing was coming to us.

Previous question from Megan Wilson:

How strong is mental health advocacy in the state of Nebraska and how would you go about making it stronger?

I am the chapter advisor and licensed mental health therapist/suicide prevention grant director at UNK. The state of Nebraska is farming state-wide coalitions and working on getting more help into schools to access for suicidal thinking and training people and students in how to talk with someone in crisis. The state is really starting to take notice. I have been actively involved in those “gatekeeper” trainings.

Questions for the next chapter:

1. What has been your most successful Active Minds recruitment tool?
2. How do you generate excitement around a heavy topic?
3. Have you experiences any resistance and how did you deal with it?

Amanda Raffety, Secretary

I am a psychology and social work major. I want to eventually work as a counselor for teenagers.

I joined Active Minds because my best friend has had many issues with depression. When we went away to college they got worse and I think if he had known where to get help, he would have been able to avoid drugs.

Previous questions from Beth McMillan:

If you could be one tree what would you be?

I would be an Ash tree because they are not a messy tree and reasonably disease resistant. They also grow quickly, are strong and can live in Nebraska.

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Sandwiches, because you don’t have to have the same kind everyday.

Questions for the next chapter:

1. What is your favorite pastime?
2. What is your oddest phobia?
3. What is your favorite thing about Active Minds?

Jordan Isaac

I joined because I’ve dealt with depression and ADHD my whole life. I’ve also dealt with people who have stopped hanging out with me when they found out about my conditions. I found the group surprisingly through my ex, Amanda. Now that I am a part of the group, I am so much happier having found people that accept me.

Previous question from Sebrina Campbell:

If you could be any Disney princess, who would you be?

Jasmine, because Mulan isn’t a princess and Jasmine has a tiger.

Which super power would you like to have if given the chance?

Rogue’s power to steal powers.

What’s your favorite part of being involved with Active Minds?

All of the fun people.

Questions for the next chapter:

1. What is your favorite summer activity?
2. What’s your favorite band/artist and why?
3. What’s your favorite movie?

The Active Minds chapter at the University of Nebraska at Kearney is a small but passionate group. As we pulled into campus, Amanda Raffety, the local chapter’s secretary, waved the Send Silence Packing truck in and led us to our spot. After a round of introductions, everyone began unloading the truck for the UNK display.

They were so excited to have the display come to their school. Their advisor, Kristin Chamness explained that they had brainstormed ways to host a display on their own, but that coming up with the 1,100 bags was more difficult than they thought it would be. This problem was solved with the tour. Within the hour, the 1,100 touring bags were laid out and ready for viewing.

There was great support for the chapter on campus as almost all of the volunteers were from outside groups.

We had the opportunity to speak with a lot of students passing by throughout the day and there was a common theme of raising an awareness for mental health. The interactions went as well as we could ever hope for—a large majority of those passing not only stopped to read the stories, but opened up a dialogue with their peers and the volunteers.

If you attended the display at Kearney, please take a moment to complete a survey, thank you.

Okay, so if you’ve been following along, you’ll have noticed that we started a little friendly competition: The Send Silence Packing 2010 Truck Swag Contest. It all started because Brandon’s lovely friend Mandy from Ann Arbor sent him off with this cute little guy. We thought Karen (our truck) could use some more friends. So we’ve asked the hosting chapters to get involved.

Our first entry comes from Saint Louis University. This is the Billiken, their beloved mascot.

I’ve asked Beth McMillan for a little more info on the Billiken and this is what she shared:

“He was voted one of the “coolest” mascots in America and he is truly one of a kind. The Billiken was designed by Florence Pretz (a St. Louis art teacher) in 1908 and it has been SLU’s mascot since around 1911. If you ask around SLU, everybody will have a different description/definition of the Billiken but over the years people have come to agree that he can be thought of as a good luck figure who represents things “as they ought to be.” Even though he is hard to describe, he is a beloved creature on our campus!” For more information, you can check out this link.

We have the amazing opportunity to meet so many of you, so we thought, why not have you meet each other? Saint Louis University was gracious enough to kick this off and we’ll pick it back up with Kearney. Here’s how it works: The person before you introduces themselves and then gets to ask the next round of questions. We’ll have the next school answer the questions and we’ll pass them on to the next chapter. Check back to view the answers to these questions after University of Nebraska at Kearney, it should be interesting!

Megan Wilson, Senior

The SLU Chapter of Active Minds was just started this year, 2009-2010, which is sadly my senior year. I was really excited to help get this group started thought, and I’m so excited that what our new chapter was able to be one of the send silence packing stops. I will be pursuing a Masters of Social Work at Tulane University next year and I’m really interested in mental health advocacy work. I’m so glad I was able to be involved with Active Minds this year! My question for Kearney is:

How strong is mental health advocacy in the state of Nebraska, and how would you go about making it stronger?

Beth McMillan, Senior

Publicity Chair and Board

I joined Active Minds to help foster a better environment for people to discuss their mental health issues and to understand that they are not alone. I am a Psychology and Spanish double major and I will be a bilingual teacher in Kansas City next year through Teach for America.

If you could be one tree what would you be?

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Sebrina Campbell, Freshman

Current Secretary of Active Minds and next year’s President

I joined active minds because I dealt with depression in middle school and I was able to overcome it. My best friends was diagnosed with multiple personality disorder and dealt with a lot of problems with her mental health. I want to help those that have trouble with their mental health and try to get rid of the negative stigma associated with it.

If you could be any Disney princess, who would you be?

Which super power would you like to have if give the chance?

What’s your favorite part of being involved with Active Minds?

We arrived at Kerr Park in Oklahoma City to set up our first urban display. While it was a quiet day with less foot traffic than on a college campus, downtown provided an intimate setting for those passing by.

Many paused for a moment in their busy day to spend time with stories during their breaks. One woman approached our resource table for more information and expressed her gratitude for the display as she explained that she now has two sons in college. The display definitely reached people in new ways. Surrounded by tall buildings, people came down in groups to ask what was going on. We were even invited to the 12th floor of a building for a photo of our display from up above. It was really interesting to see the display from their point of view.

One of the most rewarding parts of our day was meeting the family of Megan Curran. Megan is one of our backpack stories and having her family visit the display was was deeply moving. We watched as they read the stories of others, and we were silent as they found the backpack of their own daughter.

“My Granddaughter, Megan Curran, took her own life just before Thanksgiving, 2007. She was a “sunshine girl,” always bringing joy to others. Who knew? Why didn’t we know??” — Jeanie Johnson

“My best friend, David Childs, took his life June 12, 2008, at 18 years old. It was very hard on me, but the fact that you guys are educating the public on this tour is very pleasing and I am ever grateful. I love what you are doing. To see the backpacks just makes suicide that much more of a reality for people and heightens their awareness. Thank you so much.” — Micah Sherman

If you attended this display, please take a moment to complete a survey, thank you.

It’s nearly impossible to predict what a display is going to turn out like. As we arrived at Saint Louis University in the early morning, we were happily greeted with eager faces. We finished setting up for the day and busy students began flooding the center of campus between passing times.

I was worried at first that no one would be interested in the display, because everyone passing by seemed so busy and it was hard to strike up a conversation. And then a powerful thing happened; People circled back to the display, they brought their friends, they asked questions and they shared their stories.

As a new chapter, SLU was able to put on an amazing event. We had an absolute blast meeting everyone and working with all of the volunteers from outside organizations.

Joining us in the day was Steve Curran and a group of mental health leaders from the Saint Louis area. Steve is a mental health advocate who organizes and directs the Walk to Washington in honor of mental health awareness.

I had the opportunity to speak with Linda Fehrman and have her share her story.

It’s stories like Linda’s that really remind me why we are here. The stories on these bags are those of our children, our siblings, our family and our friends. Since losing her son Joel, Linda has dedicated herself to this cause, to creating awareness, and is reaching out to help in whatever ways she can.

As much fun as it is to travel and to meet all of the welcoming new faces, I am reminded each time we set up a display just how important these stories are.

“1,100 is just a number, but seeing them all laid out really shows the power. Thanks, we need this!”

“This really changed how I see things. I have been affected by friends and family committing suicide and this helped me realize that not talking about it isn’t the best thing to do.”

“I contributed because I couldn’t save him. I hope this display saves as may people that it possibly can. Thank you for making our stories heard and for allowing me to know that I am not alone on this roller-coaster of losing someone to suicide. Thank you!”

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If you attended the display at Saint Louis University, please take a moment to complete a survey, thank you.

As we’ve been on the road quite a bit in the past few days (and many, many days to come) we’ve been able to really bond with one member of our team especially. She is perhaps the most vital member of our team, someone who really doesn’t get the appreciation she deserves. So, we’d like to take a moment to introduce someone very special to you.

Meet Karen.

Karen is our truck, she is our GPS and most important, she is our friend. Without her, we would literally be nowhere.

To truly show Karen how much we appreciate her, we would like to invite all of the chapters to a friendly challenge in her honor.

We’re calling it the Send Silence Packing 2010 Truck Swag Challenge. When we visit your school, send Karen off with something to remember you by. All we ask is that you have fun with it. Here is what we are thinking: bobble heads, dashboard décor, DIY souvenirs, school mascots, photos, collages, a popsicle stick with a face on it, you name it, anything that will fit up on the dash and won’t get us pulled over. At the end of our tour, we will have the national office back in Washington, DC vote for the most creative swag.

JMU, you are not left out of this contest—we would love for you to send your swag to the national office and they can bring it to Karen during their next visit to a display.  SLU, it’s up to you to get it started.

First stop, James Madison University.

I thought my research about the Send Silence Program would give me a pretty comprehensive understanding of the impact the display would have before ever seeing it in person. I was wrong. I was entirely floored by the impact of the display at several points through the day in a way that I couldn’t have imagined.

As we pulled our truck into the lot we were immediately greeted by a large group of volunteers wearing light blue “Send Silence Packing” t-shirts they had made. Despite our two groups having not met face to face, it immediately felt like a community. Within minutes of our arrival, the display was well on its way to being set up.

Over the course of the day I watched hundreds of people stop by the display to read the stories on the backpacks. Some read silently alone moving from backpack to backpack. Some read them with a friend and discussed the stories. I saw many people read a story, leave, and come back repeatedly. “These stories take some time to digest,” someone mentioned after returning.

What I realized is that it’s not just about the 1,100 backpacks, instead it is about all of the people who want to make a difference, to say “you’re not alone.”

After realizing the impact the display has by visiting it in person, Ashly and I want to do everything we can to bridge the gap between reading about it and experiencing first hand. The message behind Send Silence Packing is so much bigger than a description, a picture, or a statistic, but we hope to use everything at our disposal here at the blog to deliver that message to you.

We would also like to take a moment to thank James Madison University. We absolutely could not have asked for a more beautiful day or a more welcoming reception for our first stop. James Madison University, you are a wonderful host and you have set the bar high–thank you so much for putting on such a successful event. It was so much fun to meet all of you and we hope you’ll stick with us for the rest of our journey.

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If you attended the display at James Madison University, please take a moment to complete our survey. Thank you.