blacksburg, virginia – Crisis on college campuses across the country.
More than 80% of college students say they are struggling emotionally, according to a new Wiley research study released this year.
When Jilly Riccio was in high school, he lost his best friend Jamison Novello in a way he never imagined.
“One of my friends died by suicide. That's why this work resonates with me, stays with me, and why I'm so passionate about it.”
During that time, Riccio was involved in her school's SAFE club, which allows people to talk openly about suicide and mental health. However, upon arriving at Virginia Tech, he quickly realized that there was nothing on campus that came close to that.
Last spring, she decided to take matters into her own hands and founded the SAFE Club at Virginia Tech.
“This is a real success and it's almost like therapy for me,” Riccio said.
10 News interviewed Virginia Tech students to find out how the mental health crisis is impacting them.
Junior Jackie Mitchell said she didn't realize the extent of her mental health issues until she started college.
“My mom was like, 'Oh, you're just frustrated,' but I came to Virginia Tech and said, 'I'm going to try therapy because it's a free option.' They said, 'You have anxiety,''' Mitchell said.
As Jackie told 10 News, her anxiety wasn't just an “frustration.”
“My body physically shut down,” she said.
Abby Connor is the communications chair for Virginia Tech's Clear Minds project.
She said she hears over and over again that students feel alone.
“Some people think, 'My problems aren't that big,' but to you they are. It's the biggest thing that's happening in your life,” Connor said.
Connor and his friend Aiden Williams, along with other students on campus, are organizing the Clear Mind Project this semester to raise awareness of mental health resources and help students take advantage of them. has been launched.
“It's really complicated, especially when it comes to mental health, because insurance is terrible in Virginia. We're trying to provide whatever information we can on that,” Williams said.
The Clear Minds Project and SAFE Club are just a few of the resources for struggling students.
They said they value and support Virginia Tech's counseling efforts, but recognize how important community with other students is to healing.
“Because when you hear about students who have gone through similar things to you and who can relate to you, it really makes you feel less alone. There are clubs, there's a whole community that you can go to, and you can say anything. You don’t even have to, you just have to be there, and I think that’s really important,” Riccio said.
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