Our school is proud to be partnering with Active Minds (activeminds.org), the nation’s leading nonprofit working to change the culture around mental health, to bring Send Silence Packing (activeminds.org/ssp) to Tulane University. Send Silence Packing is a display that inspires action around suicide by sending the message that you are not alone, help is available, and we each play a critical role in changing the culture around mental health.

We invite you to explore the backpack display on Wednesday, November 2^nd from 9am-4pm, at the Berger Family Lawn and to visit Behind the Backpacks (activeminds.org/backpacks), an interactive virtual experience that shares powerful audio stories and engaging, action-oriented ideas for how to change the culture around mental health in your community.

Please note, the display explores themes of mental health and suicide, and includes personal stories of people who have been lost to suicide. We will have mental health professionals available to speak to onsite, in the event that the experience evokes distress. If you would like to avoid the display, please be sure to follow the “Alternative route” signs that will be on the outer edge of the display.

Our school has chosen to bring this display because we care deeply about the individual and collective mental wellbeing of our campus. We recognize the challenges of our current environment and strive for a campus ecosystem that feels confident in supporting one another. Together, we can prioritize empathy and self-care while working to reduce the stigma regarding mental health support.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact Sam Bruce (Program Manager for Wave of Support) at waveofsupport@tulane.edu or Active Minds’ Send Silence Packing team at sendsilencepacking@activeminds.org.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or suicidal ideation, be sure to contact:

• Call the Line, 24/7, at (504) 264-6074
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

Help and hope are available.