One hundred backpacks fill Student Services Plaza for Suicide Prevention and Well-Being Fair

By Ana Gamez • April 7, 2026

One hundred backpacks were set up at the Student Services Plaza Wednesday, April 1, but the display was no joke.

They were part of an exhibit called “Send Silence Packing,” which honors those who lost their lives to suicide by sharing their stories of hope and loss from their family and friends.

The Saving Lives, Supporting Minds: A Suicide Prevention and Well-Being Fair took place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A backpack from the exhibit Send Silence Packing highlights the story of Nick Pacha, who lost his life to suicide on Wednesday, April 1. His story talks about how feelings of rejection from peers and society led him to depression. (Ana Gamez | The Union)

The cosmetology department offered free hairstyles and facials to students as part of a self-care promotion.

Students had open conversations, where they learned how to support their well-being with resources they can access long-term from representatives, including the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Planned Parenthood, and NAMI South Bay.

The Spring 2024 Healthy Minds Study was conducted by El Camino College. The survey found that 84$ of students are not currently receiving therapy, citing high health care costs. Picture courtesy of Susan Nilles.

The Spring 2024 Healthy Minds Study conducted on El Camino students found that three out of four students reported that mental health difficulties impaired their academic performance. In addition, 11% of students said they seriously considered suicide, and 23% had engaged in self-injury.

“We don’t know when [students] are dealing with mental health issues. We need to talk about mental health awareness and destigmatize it,” Susan Nilles, faculty coordinator for Student Health Services, said.