Story by Emma Kitchell | Photo Courtesy of Active Minds
Cypress College will host the Send Silence Packing exhibit, a free entry walk-through that includes stories of lives affected by suicide. The exhibit will be held in the Gateway Plaza on April 23 from 9 am to 4 pm.
Send Silence Packing is a traveling exhibit under the Active Minds nonprofit organization that visits schools around the country. Using backpacks, photos, and letters, this exhibit displays real stories and experiences of people who lost a loved one to suicide or their struggles with mental health. The main message and takeaway of the exhibit is that mental health affects everyone, and that no one is alone.
Cypress College has an Active Minds student chapter, co-advised by Anna Spencer-Lonetti.
“It is really a powerful exhibit to see, and for some people it is really hard to face,” Spencer-Lonetti said. “This is real and these are real people, and it can affect anybody.”
It will be located in the Gateway Plaza. If students are uncomfortable seeing the display, alternative routes to classes surrounding the plaza will be available. Mental health professionals will be on-site to support those who need it.
“Our whole purpose is just to bring awareness, have students be advocates, and talk about student mental health. Our whole goal in bringing it is to reduce the stigma, to raise awareness about the mental health services we have here on campus,” said Spencer-Lonetti.
Cypress College offers multiple mental health resources through its Health and Wellness Center, including free mental health counseling and the Active Minds support group that meets every Wednesday.
“We’re hoping to get the campus more aware of the mental health services at the Health and Wellness Center. There are people on campus who do care,” said Spencer-Lonetti.
For any questions or concerns about this event, contact Anna Spencer-Lonetti at aspencer-lonetti@cypresscollege.edu.
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, contact:
Student Health and Wellness Center (714) 484-7361 (8 am-5 pm)
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 OR 800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line: text “BRAVE” to 741-741
2-1-1: call or text
