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1,100 Backpacks Makes Visual Statement at U of R

Photo Courtesy of: Taylor Matousek

Students gather on the Gallery Lawn at the University of Redlands Oct. 13. to experience a visual message about suicide and efforts of suicide prevention.

Photo Courtesy of: Taylor Matousek

Suicide claims the lives of more than 1,100 college students each year. “Send Silence Packing” is an exhibit of 1,100 backpacks representing those lives lost.

By Jennifer Dobbs, Community Writer
October 19, 2016 at 02:44pm. Views: 86

REDLANDS>> A powerful exhibit that could save lives filled the Gallery Lawn at the University of Redlands from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13. The free and public event allowed students, professors and the community an opportunity to experience a visual and emotional message intended to bring awareness to the epidemic of suicide and efforts of suicide prevention. Suicide claims the lives of more than 1,100 college students each year and “Send Silence Packing” is an exhibit of 1,100 backpacks representing those lives lost. Visitors were invited to walk among the backpacks — each with photos and a story about the individual lost to suicide. The goal of the visual display was to help erase the stigma around mental health, encourage openness to discuss issues and inspire action for suicide prevention. Student club Active Minds and the Alliance for Community Transformation and Wellness are hosted the exhibit and held a free talk and Q & A session preceding the exhibit. The session titled “Suicide: A Global Epidemic” was presented by Dr. Daniel Bennett, assistant chief of psychiatry at Kaiser Permanente. "Send Silence Packing" is a nationally recognized traveling exhibition started by Active Minds, a leading nonprofit organization that empowers students to speak openly about mental health in order to educate others and encourage help-seeking. "We are changing the culture on campuses and in the community by providing information, leadership opportunities and advocacy training to the next generation," the Active Minds website states. The website also states by displaying backpacks with personal stories, "Send Silence Packing" puts a "face" to lives lost to suicide and carries the message that preventing suicide is not just about improving statistics, but also about saving the lives of daughters, sons, brothers, sisters and friends across the nation. Since the inaugural display in 2008 on the National Mall in Washington, DC, "Send Silence Packing" has traveled to more than 100 cities in states across the country. Program evaluation data reveals that individuals leave the display wanting to learn more about mental health. Ninety-five percent of survey respondents rate the display as powerful or very powerful and 97 percent report that it is educational.

Athlete Highlight: Brooke Hazen

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

July 29, 2026 at 11:30am. Views: 989

Freshman Varsity cheerleader Brooke Hazen stands at midfield of Grand Terrace High School's football field, where she looks forward to helping energize the crowd and build school spirit throughout the Titans' football season.

Decades of Precision: Victor Covarrubias Brings Experience and Personal Care to 20/20 Vision

Photo Courtesy of: Margie Miller

By Margie Miller, Community Writer

August 19, 2026 at 08:12am. Views: 658

Victor Covarrubias, an experienced optical technician at 20/20 Vision Associates Optometry, began his career in the optical industry in 1998.