The exhibit is sponsored by the Active Minds nonprofit, which has a chapter on campus.
Sophomore Kristen Witkemper, the programming chairperson at Active Minds of Carolina, said society tends to project a lot of shame, and this exhibit attempts to discredit that idea.
“Most mental health conditions are highly stigmatized,” Witkemper said. “We don’t talk about it, so adding a voice to mental illness can help break that stigma and get people the professional help they need.”
There were a total of 1,100 backpacks spread throughout Polk Place, which symbolized the 1,100 students who die by suicide every year, more than 300 of which have personal stories, photos and messages attached.
Send Silence Packing was started by Active Minds in 2008 and was first displayed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Now, each year collegiate chapters can apply to be selected as a host school for the exhibit. After selecting the school, Active Minds provides the backpacks, informational materials and project management.
Pam McKeta, spokesperson for Active Minds, said the exhibit is traditionally placed at a central location on campus. She said the visual display is emotionally powerful and allows passersby to be connected to resources on campus.
“Often movies, TV shows, even current events will give the impression that anyone and everyone with a mental illness is a danger — when this is rarely ever the case,” McKeta said.
Active Minds set up tables that had information about resources found on- and off-campus. Some resources were targeted to specific groups including minority groups, student athletes and veterans.
