On March 28, Active Minds—an organization dedicated to creating mental health awareness—displayed their Send Silence Packing exhibit along Driscoll Bridge. There were over 1,000 backpacks lined up against each side of the bridge, representing the number of college students that commit suicide each year.

Some of the backpacks had photos of students and stories from families who lost a student to suicide. The display is designed to raise awareness about suicide prevention, as well as break down the stigma associated with mental health disorders. DU is the first Colorado school visited by the exhibit.

“When I saw the amount of backpacks on the wall, I was so saddened,” said Katherine Halterman, a sophomore double majoring in international studies and geography. “It’s one thing to know the statistics, and another to see them.”

“It was so overwhelming to see all the backpacks,” said Alexis Meacheam, a sophomore majoring in journalism. “I didn’t know suicide during college was so common.”

Send Silence Packing is a traveling exhibit of donated backpacks. The exhibit visits approximately 20 colleges annually throughout the US. The exhibit was first unveiled in 2008. More information about Active Minds and their Send Silence Packing exhibit can be found here.

Information regarding the DU Mental Health Task Force and their upcoming Mental Health Festival on April 6 can be found on their website.

DU is committed to mental health education and provides full service for all students. If you are in need of support services, please visit the Health and Counseling Center or contact Campus Safety at 303-871-3000.