Understanding Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month takes place every September and is dedicated to raising awareness about suicide so that together we can take action and save lives. Every year 726,000 people die by suicide. Youth mental health continues to be one of the most pressing challenges of our time, with the U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy calling today’s youth mental health crisis the “defining public health issue of our time,” particularly as more young people battle mental health challenges and increased rates of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation (or suicidal thoughts). At Active Minds, we believe that stigma is shame, shame causes silence, and silence hurts us all. Part of addressing the problem means bringing it into a regular part of our conversations and offering means of support to those who may be struggling. This Suicide Prevention Month, we are proud to be launching our Send Silence Packing tour to elevate the stories of suicide loss survivors and center the voices of our youth.
The Role of the Send Silence Packing Traveling Exhibit
Active Minds’ Send Silence Packing (SSP) traveling exhibit is an immersive experience that elevates stories centered on mental health journeys, covering themes of silence, loss, survival, and resilience. The exhibit serves as a mobilizing force to change the way we think, talk, and feel about mental health, and, perhaps most importantly, how we show up for ourselves and the people around us. The Fall SSP tour kicked off on August 29 at The University of Maryland, College Park. Krista Cantrell, Send Silence Packing Manager, shared a few reflections:
Fall launch always feels special with the winding down of summer and the grounding effect of a new academic year. Recently, what’s come into greater focus for me (especially in light of the team finishing a months-long stories project leading up to the tour) is a sense of gratitude toward the stories we share and the people behind those stories who have made this program possible over the last 15+ years.
The heart of SSP lives inside our stories. In reading, listening to, and telling these stories, we embrace the possibility that we may see ourselves or someone we love in one of them.
A focal point of the exhibit is our SSP “Story Labyrinth” laid out in a circular shape to encourage movement, meditation, and reflection. Rooted in research, the Labyrinth approach has demonstrated healing effects and has often been of use in sacred spaces, most recently experiencing a resurgence in therapeutic ones. The Labyrinth is composed of 100 stories of hope or loss affixed to 100 backpacks. Each story is told from the perspectives of suicide loss survivors or folks on their own journey to recovery, and offers SSP participants a unique opportunity to connect personally with the stories, while maintaining close connection to each other.
One person represented in the labyrinth is my sister, Alina, whose story offers glimmers of hope. Her main advice to those who want to help- to just “ask”- seems sage now that Active Minds has entered our own era with A.S.K.. Alina’s simple words, and A.S.K.’s straightforward message reminds me everyday that we don’t have to be experts to ask for help, or give support.
I also remember Hank Goolsby, who died by suicide at 20 a couple years after coming out as gay. His mother makes it clear- Hank loved his mama, but hid his pain. As a mother’s grief pours onto the page, I imagine the face of another blue-eyed boy with a button nose whose hand I get to hold every day. That boy, of course, is my 7-month old son, River.
This season, the Send Silence Packing Exhibit is traveling across the country making 25 stops in 22 cities and 10 states. The program will also touch all five regions with a potential reach of up to 375,000 students and youth and young adults, as well as hundreds of additional community members nationwide.
Where can I find more resources and information?
Send Silence Packing Frequently Asked Questions
Bring Send Silence Packing to your campus or community
Interested in sharing your story?
For questions and assistance, reach out to the Send Silence Packing team at sendsilencepacking@activeminds.org
Support Suicide Prevention 988 Day
September 8th marks the first 988 Day. This event is dedicated to spreading awareness of the #988 Lifeline and emphasizing the importance of mental health support. Use #988Day to share how 988 is about “No Judgment. Just Help.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline available 24/7. To reach the 24/7 Crisis Text Helpline, text 4HOPE to 741741. Help is available 24/7. You are not alone.
