Send Silence Packing is an exhibit through Active Minds that travels the country, making approximately 40 stops each year, displaying thousands of backpacks of personal stories regarding mental health. This exhibit has been on display throughout the country for more than a decade in order to end the silence that surrounds mental illness and suicide. This year, Send Silence Packing is coming to Clinton County, Indiana!
Send Silence Packing will be on display and open to the community on Tuesday, May 14 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Clinton County Fairgrounds. Send Silence Packing raises mental health awareness, inspires action for suicide prevention, connects viewers to mental health resources, and jump starts action. Healthy Communities of Clinton County helped bring this exhibit to the area through the Stepping on Stigma movement in the community. The Stepping on Stigma movement started in 2017 with the goal of reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, start the conversation about mental health, and help bring much needed resources to the area. This movement has spurred events such as the Stepping on Stigma Mental Health Awareness 5K, Mental Health Awareness Volleyball and Basketball Games, school programs and now Send Silence Packing.
Even though Send Silence Packing will display thousands of stories on Tuesday, some of them are close to home. The Cooper Family of Rossville donated a story in honor of their son, Brayton, who lost his battle with mental illness in October, 2016. Rob and Tammy Cooper founded the Buck Up Foundation in honor of their son, and they continue to partner with schools and community organizations to educate others on mental health. “We will continue to honor our son and educate and talk openly about mental health,” states Tammy Cooper, “One person at a time we will ‘Stop the Stigma’.”
“Buck Up Foundation and the Cooper Family have been instrumental in the Stepping on Stigma movement,” states Kathy Martin, Director of Operations at Healthy Communities of Clinton County. “Our community has suffered losses of many individuals, including youth. We have lost too many and it’s time to change and start doing something positive for mental health,” Martin said.
Healthy Communities’ staff will be on hand throughout the day, along with Active Minds staff, community volunteers, and trained mental health professionals. All signs and materials at Send Silence Packing encourage help seeking behaviors and mental health resources will be available. Send Silence Packing is a free event and open to the community. No registration is required. The venue and exhibit have the capability to handle large group and buses, if needed. The Clinton County Fairgrounds are located at 1701 S. Jackson Street in Frankfort.
“We encourage everyone to come, whether you are touched by mental health directly or not, to experience this exhibit,” says Martin, “Bring your friends and family and let’s end the stigma surrounding mental health!”
Send Silence Packing is brought to you by a proposal written by Healthy Communities of Clinton County through Active Minds and our sponsors: IU Health Community Foundation, 4 County Counseling, Community Howard Regional Health, Sycamore Springs, and Covering Kids & Families.