A nonprofit organization raises awareness for suicide prevention and mental health at UNA.
The University of North Alabama hosted Send Silence Packing, a traveling exhibit emphasizing the importance of speaking up and reaching out during mental health crises.
The SSP Exhibit displays many stories of people who have struggled with suicide, including stories of hope and stories of loss to promote community and outreach to those struggling.
“A lot of people suffer in silence, thinking that they are the only one that feels this way,” says Maggie Stutts, Director of Student Counseling Services. “The name of this event ‘Send Silence Packing’ is like, let’s talk about it.
Active Minds, UNA’s Student Government Association, and UNA’s Student Counseling services organized SSP to show students that there is hope after struggle through several exhibits.
These three exhibits include the Story Labyrinth, the Hope Wall, and interactive pop-up tents for students to share their own struggles with mental health.
The Story Labyrinth features 100 backpacks, each with a personal testimony of someone who experienced the loss of a loved one through suicide.
These stories include stories of hope after struggling with suicide and stories of mourning after the loss of a loved one.
“Just seeing the sheer number of backpacks, getting to read the stories, it’s very touching,” says UNA student James Wiegmann. “You never really know who can be the next person.”
While the backpacks represent stories of loss and hope across the United States, students can look towards the hope wall to see local support.
“I love that [students] have the chance to give hope to somebody else on our Hope Wall,” Stutts says. “It’s very impactful that we’re not only talking about loss but ways we can overcome that.
The Hope Wall is an interactive exhibit where passing students can freely attach a letter of encouragement, supporting students looking for hope if they are struggling.
SSP also allowed students to share their own stories through their pop-up tents, recording their message for students who may see it later.
UNA’s SCS also invited several local mental health organizations to campus to show students that free resources are available, including Remedy Behavioral Health,
Even with resources for mental health, some students still agree that openly talking about mental health is looked down upon in many circles.
“There is a lot of stigma around mental health, especially [suicide],” says UNA student Daria Starovoitova. “Everyone at some point goes through mental health struggles.”
SSP was hosted on April 1 and is planned to be hosted again within the next four years. SSP was last at UNA in March 2017,
If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts or tendencies, reach out to a loved one or dial the suicide hotline at 988.
