Every year the 'Send Silence Packing' exhibit visits 35-50 schools/communities. It was first revealed in 2008 in Washington D.C. at the National Mall. The exhibit utilizes 1,100 empty backpacks, such a number displays the estimated number of college student suicides each year.
"The program is designed to raise awareness about the incidence and impact of suicide, connect students to needed mental health resources, and inspire action for suicide prevention," Active Minds explains in the Send Silence Packing mission statement. "At each exhibit of Send Silence Packing 1,100 backpacks are displayed in a high-traffic area of campus (like the campus quad), giving a visual representation of the scope of the problem and the number of victims."
About college student mental health
Mental health issues are prevalent among college students.
39% of college students experience a significant mental health issue.
50% of cases of mental health issues begin by age 14; 75% begin by age 24.
Two thirds of students with anxiety or depression don’t seek treatment.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among students.
For every person who dies by suicide, 280 people decide not to go through with a suicide attempt.
67% of college students first tell a friend they are feeling suicidal before telling anyone else.
1 in 5 adults has a diagnosable mental illness.
50% of us will experience a mental health condition in our lifetime
Mental health resources
Individual, group, and relational therapy services are available at the Georgia Southern University Counseling Center. To schedule an intake, please call 912-478-5541 (Statesboro) or 912-344-2529 (Armstrong/Liberty).
The Counseling Center also has same-day appointments available which can be scheduled by calling the office. When the Center is closed, please call 912-478-5541 and select option 2 from the voicemail menu to speak to the on-call counselor.
The Psychology Clinic at Georgia Southern University offers low-cost individual, couples, and group therapy. Call 912-478-1685 to make an appointment.
Visit the HERO Folder for more resources including crisis resources such as recognizing and responding to distress as well as information for faculty, staff, and students.
You can text HOME to 741741 for the JED Foundation’s 24/7 text therapy line.
The Christie Campus support line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for clinical support and emergency response.
The Georgia Crisis and Access Line is available by calling 1-800-715-4225 to help those in crisis.
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