KENNESAW, Ga. | Mar 16, 2022

Kennesaw State University’s Division of Student Affairs will host an event to raise awareness about suicide and mental health issues on college campuses through a partnership with Active Minds, a nonprofit organization that supports mental health awareness and education for young adults.

The Active Minds’ Send Silence Packing® exhibit, which features more than 1,100 backpacks with photos and personal stories from individuals who lost a loved one to suicide, will be displayed on the Kennesaw Campus Green on March 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Staff from the counseling center and other student affairs offices will be on hand to engage with students. The exhibit will be followed by a guest speaker from Active Minds on March 23 at 3:30 p.m. in the Academic Learning Center auditorium.

According to KSU’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS), suicide is the second-leading cause of death among students, and two-thirds of students with anxiety or depression fail to seek treatment.

“At KSU, we work hard to build a culture of care and support, and the Send Silence Packing display is a striking visual reminder that we all need to take care of ourselves and reach out for support when we need it,” said Josh Gunn, assistant dean and executive director of Counseling and Psychological Services. “The display also offers a unique way to broach the topic of suicide openly, which helps reduce stigma and encourages conversations that could save a life.”

Kennesaw State’s Counseling and Psychological Services supports the academic mission of the University by enhancing students’ educational, career, personal and interpersonal development. It provides a wide range of services, including workshops to help students manage the stress of college; group counseling on managing emotions and navigating relationships; individual counseling for a wide range of mental wellness concerns; and psychiatric medication evaluation and treatment. CPS also provides training for faculty and staff to help them recognize the warning signs, clues and suicidal communications of people in trouble in order to act vigorously to prevent possible tragedy.

Last year, the University launched Wellbeing@KSU, part of a statewide initiative supported by the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief funding amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, to enhance mental health and student support services within the University System of Georgia. This initiative includes services such as a 24/7/365 mental health support line for in-the-moment support and linkages to next steps, regardless of the time of day or the caller’s location; wellness peer mentors; and expanded access to psychiatric assessments.

Wellbeing@KSU enhances Kennesaw State’s existing resources offered through Student Health Services, Health Promotion and Wellness, Counseling and Psychological Services, Sports and Recreation, and the Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery.

 

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.