Eastern Michigan University’s chapter of Active Minds will host the “Send Silence Packing” display from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sep. 21, on the lawn between Pray-Harrold and Snow Health Center.
According to Active Minds, a non-profit organization focused on reducing the stigma related to mental illness, 1,100 college students die by suicide every year. It is the second leading cause of death in college students.
Lisa Lauterbach, project co-director and director of the counseling and psychological services, said the display helps reduce the stigma of talking about suicide.
“It does make us uncomfortable sometimes to talk about suicide,” Lauterbach said. “I think it’s important to do it even though it’s not a happy subject.”
The display gives the number of students who commit suicide every year a visual representation with backpacks. The backpacks have been donated in honor of people who have died by suicide.
Lauterbach said actually seeing the display can make it more “real” than reading about it.
“I think there are all different ways to reach people,” she said. “Some people just respond to a visual display.”
Funds from a Suicide Prevention Grant EMU received last year and $1,500 from EMU’s student government have helped make the display possible.
“We don’t see this as a single event that is going to turn the campus around and we don’t have to do anything else,” Ellen Gold, project director and assistant vice president of student well being, said. “We see this as the starting point for discussion and action.”
There will also be an information table where students can take buttons that say “#StigmaFighter” and leave messages of hope.
“We don’t want it to be a total downer […]” Gold said. “Let’s flip it. What are some hopeful things we can share with our community?”
The display is part of a Midwest and Cali. tour, taking place Sep. 14 to Oct. 15. “Send Silence Packing” started at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., 2008. The display has since traveled to 75 cities in America.
Students can donate backpacks to or share stories with EMU’s Active Minds organization to be included in the university display.
For more information Active Minds and the display, go to www.activeminds.org. For information on EMU’s chapter, go to, https://emu.collegiatelink.net/organization/none, or email activemindsemu@gmail.com. Students will be able to sign up for the mailing list at the eve
