Send Silence Packing is a display of more than 1,000 backpacks — designed to encourage students who are thinking about suicide, or know someone considering it, to reach out and seek help.
The nonprofit Active Minds said the backpacks represent the number of college students who commit suicide each year.
Wednesday the campaign came to San Diego City College. This year it has already been to Cal State San Marcos and will be at Palomar College next week.
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Most of the backpacks had personal stories attached to them — including letters from friends and family members impacted by the loss of a loved one. Some of the backpacks belonged to actual students who took their lives.
"Even people that I’ve talked to they don’t have anyone in their life who has committed suicide," said San Diego City College student Ashley Agostini. "They only hear about it."
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Agostini said she has lost close friends to suicide.
"And to kind of see it, and read these stories ... It’s really eye-opening for people," she said. "Hopefully people come and look at this and if they need help this will kind of urge them to get help."
Send Silence Packing travels to 30 to 40 colleges per year. The campaign helps connect students with mental health resources.
