Virginia
Virginia Tech students take initiative to address mental health crisis
BLACKSBURG, Va. – A crisis on college campuses around the country.
A new Wiley research study published this year shows more than 80% of college students say they’re struggling emotionally.
When Jilly Riccio was in high school, she lost her close friend Jamison Novello in a way she never imagined.
“One of my friends died by suicide. That’s why it struck a chord and stuck with me, and that’s why I’ve been so passionate about it.”
During that time, Riccio was a part of her school’s SAFE Club — a way to talk openly about suicide, and mental health. But when she got to Virginia Tech, she quickly realized there was nothing close to that on campus.
Spring of last year, she decided to take matter’s into her own hands, creating the SAFE Club at Virginia Tech.
“It’s been really successful, and almost like therapy for me,” Riccio said.
10 News sat down with students at Virginia Tech to see how the mental health crisis impacts them.
Junior Jackie Mitchell said she wasn’t aware of the extent of her mental health problems until college.
“My mom was just like, ‘Oh you just have the jitters,’ but I came to Virginia Tech and was like, ‘I’m going to try therapy since it’s a free option,’ and they said, ‘You have anxiety,’” Mitchell said.
As Jackie told 10 News, anxiety for her wasn’t just ‘the jitters.’
“My body would physically shut down,” she said.
Abby Conner is the Communications Chair for the Clear Minds Project at Virginia Tech.
She said she hears students say time and time again, they feel alone.
“Some people are like, ‘Oh my issue isn’t that big,’ but to you, it is. It’s the biggest thing going on in your life,” Conner said.
Conner, her friend Aiden Williams, along with other students on campus created the Clear Minds Project this semester to bring awareness to resources for mental health, as well as help students navigate them.
“Mental health stuff especially, the insurance is terrible in Virginia, so it’s really complicated. Any information we can provide about that, we’re trying to do,” Williams said.
The Clear Minds Project, along with the SAFE Club, are just some of the resources for struggling students.
They appreciate and support the counseling efforts from Virginia Tech, but tell us they recognize how important community with other students is for healing.
“When you hear a student that has gone through something similar as you or can relate to you, because then you really do feel less alone. When you realize there’s a club, there’s a whole community where you can go to and you don’t even really have to say anything, you just have them there, I think that’s so important,” Riccio said.
Copyright 2024 by WSLS 10 – All rights reserved.
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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Four new trollies will join the VB Wave Trolley fleet beginning May 10, when Virginia Beach Wave Trolley will resume its seasonal service along the oceanfront.
Trolley season lasts through September 25-27 for the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival.
A total of 14 new trollies will be part of the fleet this year, gradually replacing the older versions. The 29-foot trolley replica buses seat 29 people and feature wooden seats, with “sky-blue and sand-colored brown exterior,” according to Hampton Roads Transit (HRTS). Last year, 281,507 riders used the trolley system.
“This year marks the 42nd season of the VB Wave trolley, and these new trollies will provide a comfortable, safe, and efficient ride for visitors and locals alike,” William E. Harrell said. He is the president and CEO of HRT. “As part of our partnership with the city of Virginia Beach, the VB Wave makes it easy for everyone to visit attractions and explore the Oceanfront and beyond without the hassles of parking or the high cost of gas,” Harrell said.
The following routes will operate May 10 through Sept. 27 for the Neptune Festival:
Route 30 is the Atlantic Avenue Trolley, running along the Oceanfront between JT’s Grommet Island Park to Fortieth Street. This service operates daily from 8 a.m.- 2 a.m.
Route 31 is the aquarium and campground trolley along General Booth Boulevard. It runs daily from 9:30 a.m.-11:10 p.m. through Labor Day and again on Fridays through Sundays from Sept. 11 through Sept. 27. Route 31 also extends to Atlantic Avenue and 18th Street.
Route 35 is the Bayfront Bus, providing service between Parks Avenue and 19th Street and Shore Drive and Pleasure House Road, enabling customers to visit Chesapeake Bay beaches, First Landing State Park, and Bayfront restaurants. It operates daily from 8 a.m.-12:30 a.m. through Labor Day and then Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only from Sept. 11 through the Sept. 27 festival
The VB Wave trolley connects to HRT bus lines, Routes 20 and 960, with access to the Newtown Road Light Rail Station and the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center.
Fares are $2 one way or $4.50 for an all-day pass. Kids 17 and under ride free with a paying adult. Riders can pay for tickets using HRT’s GoMobile app and a credit card. Riders can create and manage multiple virtual cards and reload value for easy group boarding, and need to have a unique scannable virtual card for boarding. Children are not required to scan a virtual card or pay fare when boarding with an adult.
Customers can also tap to pay using credit and debit cards. KOA Campground, Virginia Gift Shop, nine Sunsations locations, and Ocean Wave Gift Shop sell tickets. Riders can also pay with exact change cash onboard the trolley.
In addition, HRT is introducing a new route in Virginia Beach beginning May 10. The new Route 981 will connect the Amazon Fulfillment Center (ORF 4) at 1795 Dam Neck Road with the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center.
Route 33 service is being restored to Atlantic Avenue and 68th Street 365 days a year to support the oceanfront hospitality industry.
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