El Camino College to Sponsor 2022 Active Minds “Send Silence Packing” Exhibit

El Camino College will sponsor a visit from the 2022 Active Minds “Send Silence Packing” exhibit from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 4 on the Library Lawn. For more than a decade, Active Minds’ acclaimed Send Silence Packing exhibit has traveled the country to end the silence that surrounds mental health and suicide and connect visitors with resources for support and action.

The all-day exhibit is sponsored by El Camino’s Student Health Services and includes personal stories from individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide. It is designed to raise awareness about the impact of suicide, connect individuals to mental health resources, and inspire action for suicide prevention. Passersby are invited to walk among the Send Silence Packing backpacks to see the photographs and read the stories attached to them. Many of the backpacks were donated by families who lost a loved one to suicide.

Student Health Services will offer a free lunch to the first 100 students who visit the exhibit. A Student Health Services psychologist will also be in attendance at the event at all times.

“This exhibit provides our college community an opportunity to keep mental health and suicide awareness at the forefront of our conversations around holistic student support and services to ensure that our students have everything they need for their well-being,” said El Camino College President Brenda Thames.

The timing of this display – the week before El Camino’s spring recess – is intended to offer students a variety of resources before they take a break from their studies. It also coincides with the launch of TimelyCare, a new 24/7 program that offers each enrolled student, including dual enrollment students, up to 12 free virtual mental health counseling sessions with licensed mental health professionals.

Mental health issues are prevalent among college students, with research showing that nearly 40% of college students experience a significant mental health issue and two thirds of students with anxiety or depression don’t seek treatment. Send Silence Packing is one of many programs sponsored by El Camino’s Student Health Services, which offers a comprehensive list of services that promote physical and mental wellness.

For more information, contact El Camino College Student Health Services: www.elcamino.edu/StudentHealthServices.