WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Active Minds student organization, Department of Psychology and Student Life will host the nationally touring Send Silence Packing display, a visually striking exhibit that includes personal stories from individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide. More than 1,000 backpacks will be placed on the UIS quad with photos and stories of suicide victims attached.

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022

WHERE: UIS Quad (Rain Location: Brookens Auditorium)

DETAILS: The display is designed to connect individuals to mental health resources and inspire action for suicide prevention. Participants are invited to walk among the Send Silence Packing backpacks to see the photographs and read the stories attached to them.

The display was created by the national Active Minds organization, a nonprofit that supports mental health awareness and education for young adults. Active Minds has a presence at more than 800 campuses, schools, communities and workplaces nationwide. The organization is dedicated to ending the silence and changing the conversation about mental health.

More information about the display can be found on the Active Minds website.

For more information on the UIS event, contact students Dhara Patel (dpate331@uis.edu) or Pavani Unnam (punnam2@uis.edu), co-presidents of the UIS Active Minds chapter.