(October 8, 2015) KMJ – This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and Fresno City College is exhibiting a display they hope draws attention to the topic of suicide.
There are 1,100 backpacks at the center of the campus, representing the number of students who die by suicide every year.
Call it risque – evocative …the exhibit is titled “Send Silence Packing,” and is presented by the student advocacy organization “Active Minds.”
The backpacks were donated by families of students who died by suicide.
The display sheds light on college student suicide, and they hope it promotes a healthy dialogue around mental health.
Walk amongst the backpacks and you will see families and friends have written their personal stories and testimonies about how suicide has affected their lives.
This exhibit remains at Fresno City College until 4:00 this afternoon, and then will continue on its journey to campuses across California, this fall.
