In 2005, Texas had a staggering suicide rate of 10.4 per 100,000 people. Suicide was the tenth leading cause of death in the state and the third leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds. In Collin County, the suicide rate was 9.2.
Just as staggering are the 1,100 suicides that college students commit each year throughout the country.
In an effort to “Send Silence Packing,” the Collin College chapter of the national Active Minds, Inc. student advocacy group, recognized the annual 1,100 suicides committed by college students by sharing their stories in a striking backpack display on Oct. 16 at the Central Park Campus.
Aside from the display, which included the varying backpacks of 1,100 college students who commit suicide each year, the “Send Silence Packing” event included speaker and resource tables with information about many topics related to mental health.
Photos taken by Nick Young