HARTFORD, Conn. — The Hartford has renewed its support for the national tour of Send Silence Packing, a traveling mental health exhibit created by nonprofit organization Active Minds, as part of an effort to raise awareness about mental health challenges facing students and young adults across the United States.
The exhibit, which is presented on college campuses, community spaces, and public venues, uses storytelling and experiential displays to spark conversations about mental health and suicide prevention among young people.
The initiative comes as new survey data highlights the mental health challenges facing Generation Z in the workplace. Nearly half of Gen Z workers, 47 percent, say their mental health affects their productivity, while 37 percent say stigma prevents them from seeking care, according to The Hartford’s annual survey of working Americans.
“Our data shows young adults are navigating unprecedented change and pressure, while facing persistent stigma around mental health,” said Christopher Swift, chairman and chief executive officer of The Hartford. “Send Silence Packing is a proven catalyst for change, and we are honored to support Active Minds in sharing this impactful experience nationwide and helping the next generation thrive.”
The exhibit’s centerpiece features 100 backpacks representing personal stories of loss, survival, and healing. Organizers also distribute national and local mental health resources, while on-site mental health professionals are available to provide support for attendees.
Alison Malmon, founder and executive director of Active Minds, said the collaboration allows the organization to bring the exhibit to more communities at a time when young people need connection and support.
“The continued support from The Hartford allows us to bring Send Silence Packing to more communities nationwide at a time when youth and young adults need connection more than ever,” Malmon said. “By centering the real stories of young people and meeting them where they are, we’re not only championing a new era of mental health—we’re building a culture where mental health is prioritized, supported, and openly discussed.”
Since its launch in 2008, more than one million people have experienced the exhibit in more than 350 communities nationwide.
According to Active Minds, the exhibit’s impact often extends beyond the event itself, prompting new educational initiatives on campuses, increased student engagement, faculty training opportunities, new Active Minds chapters, and stronger community connections.
The 2026 spring tour began March 4 in Princeton, Texas, and will continue with stops at several universities and community locations across the country, including Kennesaw State University in Georgia, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, El Camino College in California, Nazareth University in New York, and Bronx Community College in New York. The tour will also visit several high schools, including Mansfield High School in Mansfield, Massachusetts, in late April.
The Hartford said the initiative is part of a broader effort to change the culture around mental health in the workplace. With the company’s support, the exhibit reached 60 local communities and more than 15,000 in-person participants between August 2024 and December 2025.
In addition to Active Minds, The Hartford partners with the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Milken Institute on programs focused on improving mental health awareness and strengthening resilience in workplaces and communities.
Active Minds, founded more than two decades ago, works to mobilize youth and young adults to transform how mental health is understood and discussed. Through programs such as the Active Minds Chapter Network, A.S.K., and Send Silence Packing, the organization trains peer advocates and supports mental health initiatives on campuses and in communities nationwide.
