CSM hosts the “Send Silence Packing” exhibit.

On Monday, October 16, CSM hosted the impactful “Send Silence Packing” exhibit, organized by Active Minds, a national mental health advocacy organization focusing on college campuses. This event was designed to initiate candid conversations about mental health, diminish the stigma surrounding mental illness, and encourage students to seek help and support for themselves and their peers.

The exhibit featured a moving display of backpacks, each one representing a life tragically lost to suicide. These backpacks were not just ordinary bags; they were filled with personal stories and heartfelt mementos, serving as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Its core message resonated with students: seeking help and extending support to oneself and fellow peers is essential to healing.

Gil Perez, a personal counselor at CSM and the faculty coordinator for CSM’s Active Minds student club, emphasized the event’s mission: “Our goal is to shatter the silence that often surrounds mental health issues and foster open and honest discussions. This event sends a powerful message to our community – that they are not alone in their struggles and that there is help and support readily available.”

“Send Silence Packing” provided an essential platform for students and the campus community to engage in meaningful conversations about mental health, challenge stereotypes, and cultivate a culture of empathy and solidarity. Through this event, the campus significantly strived towards creating a more inclusive and compassionate environment for all.

CSM’s Wellness Center takes great pride in partnering with Active Minds to bring “Send Silence Packing” to the campus; this is the third year that CSM has hosted the powerful exhibit. The Active Minds student club is steadfast in its mission to eradicate mental health stigma and provide an open forum for discussions about mental health issues. If you’d like to be part of this transformative conversation, we invite all CSM students to join the Active Minds club, with meetings scheduled for November 3 & 17 and December 8. Feel free to contact csmactivemindsclub@gmail.com with any questions – your voice matters.