This past Mother’s Day weekend we were granted the pleasure of hosting Send Silence Packing at Fairfax Corner in Fairfax County, Virginia. This display was made possible by The Josh Anderson Foundation and allowed us to connect directly with younger audiences and their parents.

Unlike our other city displays hosted in the center of a bustling metropolis, we set up shop in the heart of a very busy shopping center called the Grand Plaza. This open pavilion had a feature called an interactive fountain, which replicated what many of us would call “a good run in the sprinkler” on a much larger scale.  This mini water park, which usually serves as a focal point in the Grand Plaza, brought a steady flow of parents and children of all ages through the display. One of the many things I loved about this display location is that it gave parents the opportunity to start the conversation with their children, regardless of their age. I recall a story of a family walking through, and the mother periodically checking in with her young son with a simple – “Let me know if you have any questions.”

The overall reaction of the community was also highly receptive, given the holiday weekend. Here we were, using public space in the middle of a very busy shopping center on probably one of the busiest days of the year for consumers and people were taking the time out of their day to interact with the display and learn more about what they can do to play a part in prevention. Being in this location also gave us the chance to interact with a number of high school students, graduating seniors specifically, who were preparing to make their way to college in the fall. Many of these young people, as well as other local college students, were so inspired by the display that they immediately wanted to learn more about how to be involved with the chapters on their campus.

I want to be sure to share this memory and proof that anyone anywhere can be impacted and motivated to take action, whatever it may look like:

During the morning set-up of the display, a man stopped one of the volunteers and asked a question we almost always hear: “What are all of these backpacks for?” After a brief explanation, he mentioned that he worked at the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shop not far from the plaza. He said he appreciated what we were doing and was going to let his manager know to stop by and check out the program. A few hours later, the manager arrived with a stack of “free kiddie cone” vouchers and said: “I heard what you all are doing and think it’s fantastic! We wanted to find some way to contribute so for anyone that donates $5 to your cause, give them a voucher and tell them to stop by.”

Lastly, I want to give a huge THANK YOU to the Anderson family and to The Josh Anderson Foundation. Josh’s story is one of the many stories included in our program, and for the day, his story spoke directly to a number of young people. Our target audience was intentionally selected and this display would not have been possible if it weren’t for their support. I appreciated the opportunity to interact with their network and witness the overflowing support of family friends, many of which knew Josh firsthand.

This was an inspiring day with far reaching impact, and I hope to continue this relationship with The Josh Anderson Foundation in our effort to send silence packing and to promote youth mental wellness.

This past monday we finished off the fourth Send Silence Packing tour with another city display. We set up the 1,100 backpacks in the center of Love Park—a popular area in downtown Philadelphia. Setting up in such a public place gives us a chance to reach out to a wider demographic and speak with people that we might not normally interact with on a college campus. These stops are so important because although we do most of our work on campuses, mental health applies to everyone. The stories that are shared with us are not only students, but also parents, grandparents, siblings, children, friends, and neighbors.

Back when we did our first major city display during the first tour, we didn’t quite know what to expect as far as people’s reactions. Every city since then, including our most recent stop in Philadelphia, has shown us that people are willing and excited to help change the conversation about mental health. Whether it’s someone who has struggled with their own mental health issues or someone who has a relative in college, people are consistently eager to educate themselves on what they can do to be a part of this movement. Many people would not only take information for themselves, but take handfuls to distribute in their own workplaces, schools, and homes.

It’s amazing to see the kind of immediate action that Send Silence Packing inspires in people. Early in the afternoon an older man came to the table and asked what all the bags were about. I spent some time talking to him and showing him the resources and information we had. After our talk he went off to read some of the hundreds of personal stories displayed around Love Park. I thought that was the end of our interaction, but 30 minutes later he came back to the table and asked if he could help distribute our flyers and help direct people towards the display. We gave him a T-Shirt, directions on how to tell people about the event, and he then spent the next 4 hours helping to bring hundreds of people towards the display—he even helped pack up the 1,100 backpacks at the end of the day.

It’s interactions that these that can remind us that it’s never too late to take action. This man was simply passing by and decided to do what he was able to spread this message. There are things that we can all do, from anywhere in the world, to support the mental health of ourselves and those around us. I know the phrase is a little corny, but knowledge really is power here—you can take an active role in all of this by taking some time to educate yourself and those around you about mental health. If we can learn about warning signs and ways to stay mentally fit, we can keep an eye out for ourselves and each-other.

This past Thursday we pulled into the scenic Hofstra University in Hempsted, NY. We’ve had pretty fantastic luck regarding weather this tour (other than unusually strong winds), but this day was just under a 50% chance of rain. These forecasts are the most challenging because we like to present the display outdoors whenever possible. After we pulled onto campus we met with several chapter members who showed us both the indoor location and the outdoor location for Send Silence Packing. We absolutely loved the outdoor location, so after a bit of deliberation, we decided to take the risk of a little rain and set up in the quad outdoors. This decision paid off as we didn’t see a single rain drop and were able to share the display with thousands of students passing through.

We were able to reach so many of these people thanks for the fantastic work of both the students and the members of Hofstra’s counseling services who volunteered their time to raising awareness and starting conversations throughout the day. We would constantly look over to see volunteers in long conversations with other students about the display. There were a lot of thoughtful questions being posed, and we were glad to be able to engage with visitors to answer them.

One question that came up often was about what people could continue to do after the display. All of the interactions we have during the day are important and moving in their own ways, but it’s fantastic to see such an interest in continuing the momentum even after we pack up and move on. Several visitors even asked if they could take extra handfuls of our materials to pass out to their classes for anyone that wasn’t able to make it down during the day.

Continuing the conversation is one of the most impactful things that anyone can do any day of the year. It doesn’t cost any money, it only takes as much time as you want, and absolutely anyone can do it. By even being here and taking the time to read about this program you’re showing that you’re interested in continuing the conversation. Thank you for your interest and your attention, and thank you for being a mental health advocate.

It is always a creative experience when chapters provide additional programming at a display. It adds an extra element that gives their campus a unique quality. Send Silence Packing is already a huge statement, so it can be a challenging process to find what will work with the displays. There have been many ways that chapters have chosen to add a flair of individuality to interacting with the display. From having several campus groups at the display to giving away decorated t-shirts, there have been so many ideas that have become a part of the Send Silence Packing displays.

Bard college had a few great activities that we had not seen on the tour before. After we set up, student and staff volunteers began chalking positive messages on the sidewalks that went through the display. Brandon and I had a conversation about this exact activity a few days before we were at Bard and were happily surprised to see that the Bard chapter had the same idea.

In the morning Ashley Boltrushek, the Active Minds at Bard advisor, explained to myself and the students about the Mandala that we would have by the tables during the display. We spread a white sheet on the ground and had several items in cups on the corners of the sheet. The items included: seashells, wooden beads, marbles, flowers, and other various pieces. The idea of the mandala was to have people add pieces to the sheet to make a design. These items would carry any kind of thoughts or feelings, good or bad, that someone had when adding to the mandala. Once the display was over and the mandala was taken apart, the thoughts that were associated with the items were released into the universe. It was a very calming activity and provided an experience associated with a sense of relieving any feelings into the world.

Bard also added a backpack to the display, as most of the chapters do when Send Silence Packing is at their campus. The backpack they donate was included in another activity that people were encouraged to take part in. There was paper set up with markers, crayons, and colored pencils and instructions to create any kind of positive message or art to travel with the backpack.

Many students took this activity as a chance to send messages of hope and support. It is another way that a sense of comfort is set into the display. Suicide is a very heavy topic and Send Silence Packing is working hard to make sure it is taken seriously. But there is something personal about hearing words of encouragement from strangers. Reading stories from people that have lost a loved one to suicide is a very emotional experience and it is always a good balance to have words of hope to read as well from chapters across the United States.

Even after reading many statements of support while touring, I still find myself impacted by the kind words of others that I have not heard before. Here are a few of the comments from the Bard backpack:

“I was afraid – now I’m not. I spoke and I’m not alone.”

“Life is full of mysteries. Just remember that we can surprise ourselves … Let the universe surprise you.”

“Despues de la tormenta viene la calma” … which translates to: “After the storm comes the calm.”

Having activities like this on campus during the display usually has a double impact. People are helping themselves by creatively expressing their support for others. It is therapeutic for the person creating, and inspirational for the stranger seeing that creation for the first time. One message can be the thing that changes someone’s mind about finally reaching out to a friend, or taking steps in the right direction to help themselves.

When I was reading through the journal entries of thoughts and comments added at Smith College, I came across one that said “Stopped me in my tracks today. Thank you for bringing awareness.” Another mentioned that reading the stories on the backpacks was just what they needed after a particularly difficult and stressful week leading up to the end of the semester. Send Silence Packing has this wonderful ability to be accessible to anyone whether they are just becoming aware of the issue or if they’re well aware of it and eager to continue spreading the message.

We’ve been lucky to be a part of the team that has brought this program to both coasts and dozens of places in between, and no matter where we go, there’s hundreds of people ready to either begin or continue talking about mental health. For the people just learning about the issue it usually starts with a question like “what’s with all the bags?” There are a lot of times when that same person will end up mentioning a connection they have with the subject after we explain the display.

Mental health is interesting in the sense that it is so ubiquitous—every person has it—but not everyone is comfortable talking about it (yet). Everywhere we go, however, we can see this changing. More and more people are becoming aware that it’s not only okay to be aware of and talk about mental health, but that it’s essential—both for yourself and for those around you. Later in the afternoon I spoke with a visitor that told me she never really knew that it was “ok” to talk about this kind of stuff. After a short conversation she went off to class, only to bring back other friends later in the day so they could see it for themselves. This is just one example of the simple actions we can all take to help continue with this forward momentum.

Send Silence Packing frequently gets comments and thoughts from people passing by during the display. There are people from all different walks of life who have had so many different experiences. We get comments of support as well as many people that share their personal history with mental illness and suicide. There is a supportive environment created at the display that makes people comfortable enough to share what they have gone through.

We noticed at Worcester, as well as our other stops, that the traveling journal has also been a remarkable space for people to share their thoughts and comments. For those that have not been to a display, we have a journal that travels with us to each event. Chapters decorate a page and visitors have a chance to write their thoughts and feelings throughout the day. There have been many different types of reflections left and they are all an important and meaningful piece to making the journal so special.

Here are a few of the messages left from Worcester Polytechnic Institute:

“This display is so moving and powerful. It made me realize how happy I am that I pushed through the darkness and stopped the silence. Thank you.”

“The number of families and friends affected by college student suicides every year is astounding. This display emphatically gets that message across. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have lost loved ones.”

“This display has really helped me, as well as my treatment, to realize that if you are thinking of suicide – talk to someone ASAP. It really does make a difference if you talk to the right person.”

There is something profound about the impact that the journal has had on people. There have been notes to loved ones lost to suicide, messages of promise, statements of thanks, and stories shared in its pages. It is an amazing way to connect the campuses and cities with each other. There is something about a blank space on paper that encourages people to leave their messages to others. Reading these words inspires people to continue sharing their thoughts and gives a voice of hope and support, even if you will never meet the person who wrote it.

When we do the Send Silence Packing display, whether it is on a college campus or not, there are always people that ask why we choose college students as our focus. It is important to remember that mental health is a huge importance at any stage in life. But college is a time of transition, bringing a whole lot of change for young adults. This is the first time that many people are leaving home – which comes with a list of new responsibilities. Not only do they have to learn how to live independently, they have to learn healthy ways of taking care of themselves and a lot of times, nobody tells them how to but expects them to know.

College is seen as the ‘time of your life’ and people always say that you should take advantage of it while you’re still at a university. People are trying new things, making new friends, discovering who they are. This seems like a period where people are always happy and always adventuring. Students are expected to know what they want and how to get it. A lot of times we don’t think to take a step back and make sure we are taking care of ourselves. College is a stressful time for a student that is not struggling with mental health issues, but when something seems off knowing where to turn is extremely important.

While we were at Syracuse, there were a lot of campus tours coming through the display of perspective students. There were campus administrators, professors, and parents that were interested in the display. Some thought it was a great idea, others weren’t such fans. But when we got the chance to explain to speculators, they understood the importance of reaching out to students before they start college. Some parents admitted that they hadn’t thought about the importance of mental health once their child goes to college and that Send Silence Packing was a great opportunity for them to remind their kids to find ways to take care of themselves while they are away from home.

During a conversation with one of the campus administrators, I was asked why I thought doing Send Silence Packing was necessary, especially with student tours coming through. She said that she was hesitant for them to see the display. I replied that her hesitance was one of the reasons for us to be on campus that day. The fact that adults are still choosing not to talk about mental health and are, to an extent, ignoring its importance is the reason we NEED to be on campuses. It is so important for Active Minds chapters to be at colleges and universities all over the United States: to reach out to students and help them to speak up.

It can be hard to deal with mental health issues while going through college because it seems like everyone else doesn’t feel the way you feel. Students are expected to be happy about being in college, and to appreciate that opportunity without complaints. This makes it harder for students to understand that they are not alone in their struggles. But nobody is alone. There are so many resources and friends that you can reach out to. Active Minds is here to teach people how to be a support to others that are having a hard time and to feel comfortable reaching out when they need help.

The Active Minds chapter at Syracuse did an amazing job showing their support for their fellow classmates. They are yet another group of students dedicated to changing the conversation about mental health.

We talk a lot about the conversations we have during the displays. Everywhere we go we hear stories and questions as visitors read the backpacks and explore the event. We hear from people that live close to this issue every day and from people that are just now beginning their journey in learning about mental health. We experience thousands of these interactions and we try to share them with you, but something that happened at this display reminded me of something we haven’t given as much attention to.Towards the end of the display two volunteers approached us. “We thought you should see this,” they said as they handed a post-it note over to us, “someone left this on the table over there.” We had no idea what to expect. The note read:

“I have been contemplating suicide for awhile now. After reading these stories, I made an appointment with Creekside Counseling. Thank you.”

There are so many different ways to begin breaking the silence about mental health, and they don’t have to be huge leaps when you’re just getting started. The subject matter at Send Silence Packing is a very strong and emotional topic, and not everyone can be expected to interact with it the same way. For every person we speak to, there are others that experience the display on their own level, and that is just as important. We never had a chance to personally interact with the visitor that left this note, but they were able to experience it at their own speed and take something incredible away from it.Breaking the silence is a sign of strength, whether it’s immediately opening up to those around you or taking small and steady steps through storytelling, interaction, or learning. This visitor chose to seek the help they needed while not directly interacting with anyone else. Others choose to tell us about their upcoming journey as soon as they start. Some take information to learn at their own pace before taking further action. All of these are fantastic paths, and there’s is no “right way” to begin, or continue, mental health education and awareness. Taking the steps that feel comfortable to you is what is more important—as long as you’re making that choice to move forward.

At the start of the tour, we spoke with someone who explained how important it is to have tools available to stay healthy mentally. These tools can be something different for everyone, so having options to explore is a great start. The chapter at Wesleyan was well aware of this used it for an interactive addition to the day’s event. As visitors read bags, spoke with volunteers, and collected resources, they were also able to add a post-it note to a giant board in the middle of the display that asked “what makes you happy?” Anyone that passed by was encouraged to write down things that make them happy and tape them to a board everyone was able to read. This was an inspiring piece added to the display, as well as a similar board asking students what they would say to someone that is contemplating suicide.

Send Silence Packing is a powerful and emotional experience. We bring the display to campuses to create an atmosphere where people can begin to realize the importance of taking care of our mental health. Starting meaningful conversations and decreasing the stigma of suicide and mental health is what we work toward. We make an intense statement with Send Silence Packing, and we also encourage people to take an active part in their own mental health as well as the mental health of their loved ones.

Seeing the inspiring messages that were written for people struggling with suicidal thoughts was as amazing reminder of the important role that every single person plays. When struggling with mental health issues, it is easy to forget how much you mean to other people. Seeing written words of encouragement and meaning can be the help that some people need. You can do this by talking to someone and using these words to remind them that they are important and there is someone that cares enough and is willing to . Making a list of things that make you happy is an easy thing to do and a simple reminder of ways to relieve stress. The responses on the board varied greatly—people posted things from ‘sunshine’ to ‘vegan mac & cheese’ throughout the day. Seeing others’ responses reminded students of what they do in their lives to feel better on a bad day or the ways that they can cope with stress in healthy ways. Here are just some of the responses from the “What Makes You Happy?” board at Wesleyan:

• music
• my future
• love from my friends and family
• ice cream
• yoga!
• spinning
• puppies
• going to the gym
• bike ridez
• taking a break, getting off campus
• thunderstorms
• hugs

Seeing the post-its inspired me to make my own list as a reminder of the things I enjoy in life. Use this as a inspiration to make your own list too!

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.