IVC helps break the silence on mental health

Imperial Valley College is committed to changing the conversation about mental health. IVC hosted Active Minds to bring mental health awareness and the impact of suicide.

IMPERIAL, Calif. (KECY, KYMA) - Over 1,000 backpacks were shown at the Send Silence Packing exhibit at Imperial Valley College, each representing a family that lost a loved one to suicide or a suicide survivor nationwide.

Active Minds is the nation's leading non-profit organization in young adults mental health awareness and education.

Active Minds attends different campuses displaying their Send Silence Packing exhibit. The exhibit is to raise awareness on suicide and help bring resources to prevent suicide.

Alison Malmon, CEO of Active Minds started Active Minds in 2003 on her college campus after her brother took his own life.

The Send Silence Packing exhibit's first display was shown at the National Mall in Washington D.C that started in 2008. Since then, the exhibit grew and is now on the road to bring awareness throughout the nation.

Each backpack has a picture of the individual that committed or attempted suicide and a story from the family about how they remembered their loved one.

The director of IVC student health services, Lupita Castro, hopes this exhibit can reach someone who may be going through a hard time.

"We are here to help you. We are here to support you. You are not alone. We really care," said Castro.

According to Active Minds, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young adults and 39% of students in college experience a significant mental health issue.

Many IVC faculty and students shared their story about why we need to make mental health a comfortable, everyday conversation.

IVC Interim Superintendent and President, Dr. Lennor Johnson, shared with me he lost a good friend to suicide and says he would have done things differently if he was aware of the struggles of mental health when he was in school.

"As a friend, we have to be very mindful when people make drastic shifts of their behavior," said Dr. Johnson.

Mental health is just as important as physical health.

One student, Javier Melara, Associated Students Government President, said this is heartbreaking and a wake up call but there are ways we can help.

"By showing how you care and how you love them and make them feel worthy, they'll start to feel it too," Melara said.

Active Minds display coordinator, Stevie Provis, says living with depression, this cause means so much.

"I've wanted to be a part of this to help bring out these resources to show people they don't have to deal with this alone and there are so many people out here willing to help," said Provis.

Provis says anyone is welcome to donate a backpack to share their story at http://activeminds.org.

"We welcome people who have been affected in any way by suicide whether it is a survivor, a loved one that lost someone by suicide, anyone who it really affects," Provis said.

Active Minds has a presence at more than 800 campuses.

The big message is it is okay to not be okay. You belong and you matter.