They were sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, best friends and average students.
Yesterday, the 1,100 college students who commit suicide every year were memorialized in an on-campus display — each was represented by a backpack to symbolize the effort to “Send Silence Packing” and erase the stigma that often surrounds mental illness.
Active Minds, a national organization that aims to raise awareness of mental health on college campuses, sponsored the display, which was featured throughout the day in Stamp Student Union’s Grand Ballroom. Yesterday’s event, which began the organization’s second annual national tour, ended with a personal testimony from an Active Minds speaker about the importance of encouraging discussion among college students on an issue often kept quiet until it’s too late.
Junior psychology major Samantha Roman, the president of this university’s Active Minds chapter, said the event’s ultimate goal was to educate students about depression and suicide by putting a face on the issue — many of the backpacks included personal stories or mementos from the victims’ families.
“Nobody talks about mental illness, so students feel stigmatized and don’t get help,” she said. “It affects everyone, but not everyone knows it. People don’t advertise that they have a mental illness.”
Many students who visited the display — which would have been held on McKeldin Mall had weather permitted — said the collection of backpacks adorned with messages from loved ones was a sight they won’t soon forget.
“This is a topic that hits home to a lot of college students, and it’s sort of a taboo topic,” said senior psychology major Matthew Barnes. “Having a public display like this really opens people’s eyes to the significance of a decision like suicide. It makes people aware that it’s there, and it’s real and people care.”
Sophomore government and politics major Dinko Miljkovic, who also works as a student counselor the University Help Center, said although he is well-versed in the prevalence of depression on college campuses, the display was still shocking.
“To see these backpacks here and to see their personal stories, you see how much it impacts not only these people but also their family and friends,” he said. “It just shows that you have to love everyone. Love your friends and get to know them.”
Last night, Janelle Montano, a speaker from the Active Minds’ mental health speakers bureau, addressed a group of about 15 students about her personal experiences with depression after her brother committed suicide almost 12 years ago. Montano urged students to reach out to friends who might be suffering in silence and cope with stress in a healthy manner.
“Seeking help and talking about your problems is a sign of strength, not weakness,” she said. “Together we can open these lines of conversation and change the way we talk about mental health.”
For some students, Montano’s message was especially personal.
“I think it’s great what they’re doing,” said sophomore pre-nursing major Emily Monnett, who said she has lost a friend to suicide. “I think it helps to show that it really happens a lot, with college students being away from home and stuff.”
Miljkovic said last night’s event could only help save lives by making students aware of the university’s resources.
“Sometimes it’s looked down upon,” he said. “If you want to cry, you look weak. [The Help Center] allows people to call in and open up. It shows kids that are going through this and that there’s organizations that can help you, that are there to listen. There definitely needs to be more activism out there. We go through ups and downs, and most of us are on campus without our friends and family. We all have bad days, and sometimes you just need someone to listen to you.”
kirkwood at umdbk dot com
