Send Silence Packing Traveling Exhibit

Since 2008, the Send Silence Packing^® exhibit has traveled the country to end the silence that surrounds mental illness and suicide.

Send Silence Packing encourages people to seek out resources for themselves, friends, or loved ones. Trained professionals are on hand at each stop and thousands of mental health resources are distributed.

Interested in hosting? Learn more!

An award-winning traveling exhibit

Each year, Send Silence Packing visits 60-80 schools and communities. The all-day exhibit inspires action for suicide prevention, connects participants with local and national mental health resources, and inspires action. Send Silence Packing catalyzes conversations that contribute to a community’s overall positive climate for mental health.

Impact

Program survey data reveals that individuals leave Send Silence Packing wanting to learn more about mental health. Ninety-five percent of survey respondents rate the exhibit as powerful and ninety-seven percent report it educational.

Our surveys demonstrate the majority of visitors tell three or more people about what they have learned, and many reach out to a friend in need or seek help for themselves as a result of seeing the exhibit.

Increase help-seeking

Send Silence Packing encourages people to seek out helpful resources for themselves, friends, or loved ones.

Active Minds staff and volunteers are available at each stop, and are equipped to discuss the importance of knowing the signs of suicide, intervening when a friend is in distress, and getting help for themselves when needed. Trained professionals are also onsite at every exhibit. All signs and materials encourage help-seeking and thousands of mental health resources are distributed.

Stories and backpacks

Send Silence Packing includes personal stories from individuals who are personally touched by suicide. The stories are a powerful way to raise awareness. The donation of stories and backpacks can be a meaningful step for suicide loss survivors and others.

All stories on display are reviewed and revised in accordance with evidence-based public health practices. We remove discussion of means, the nature of the death, and any content that glorifies negative or inappropriate coping behavior.

EVALUATING FIT AND TIMING

If your community has experienced a recent suicide, our staff may recommend certain action steps prior to hosting Send Silence Packing, including involving student perspectives in your decision-making. For questions about whether Send Silence Packing is the right fit for your community, contact us and we’ll be in touch. Our team is available to help you make a decision that will best support your goals. Additionally, for campuses, Active Minds offers a postvention guide that guides campus communities through the difficult task of leading a campus-wide response following a suicide.