Send Silence Packing

Cypress College is proud to be partnering with Active Minds, the nation’s leading nonprofit working to change the culture around mental health, to bring Send Silence Packing to Cypress College. Send Silence Packing is an exhibit 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, April 23, 2025, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Gateway Plaza and to visit Behind the 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 follow the “Alternative Route” signs on the outer edge of the display.

Our school has chosen to bring this display because student mental health and wellness continues to be a priority for the Student Health and Wellness Center, Active Minds Student Chapter and Cypress College as a community.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact Anna Spencer-Lonetti at aspencer-lonetti@cypresscollege.edu  or the 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:

• Student Health and Wellness Center (714) 484-7361 (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) OR Campus Safety (714) 484-7387 (on-campus after 5 p.m.)
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 OR 800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line: text “BRAVE” to 741-741
• 2-1-1: call or text

Help and hope are available.