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The most difficult conversations to have can be the ones that are the most important. In some cases, they could be the conversations that save a life.

WHY IT MATTERS: That conversation is talking about mental health challenges, and in the month of September, specifically suicide. Mike Wade, the Coordinator of Community Wellness and Outreach at New River Valley Community Services says “It’s one in four or one in five adults every year that have a serious, diagnosable mental health condition . . . I would argue that we probably all 100% of us at some point have some kind of mental health setback that a lot of us can manage and get through ourselves. But sometimes we need professional help, and that’s okay. That’s the best way to do it.”

• Wade says that although the statistics reveal at least 20% of the population battles a mental health disorder, it goes undiagnosed more often than not because people are scared to have the conversations surrounding mental health because of a negative stigma. “Suicide has been a taboo subject that a lot of people aren’t comfortable talking about. But the only way to really address that as a community is to get it out in the open and talk about it, and despite what a lot of people may think, talking about suicide doesn’t increase the likelihood that someone will actually follow through with that act,” says Wade. “In fact, it does just the opposite, and those direct conversations with someone that we may have concerns about can actually prevent them from moving forward with a plan to end their life.”

Mike Wade, the Coordinator of Community Wellness and Outreach at New River Valley Community Services, speaks with TheNewsFeedNRV about Suicide Prevention Month.

THE BIG PICTURE: Wade says 50,000 Americans die from suicide each year and it’s a combination of everyone. “It’s not an issue that discriminates based on income, race or gender,” says Wade. “We know that some populations have a great risk of suicide, but I think a lot of people would be surprised to learn that actually older adults, seniors 80 and over, actually have the highest rate of suicide of any demographic.”

• There’s no one factor that drives a person to want to commit suicide. The majority of the time, it is the result of a person feeling such emotional distress that they feel the only way out is to take their own life. But Wade says one of the best ways to help someone who might be considering suicide is to just know they are not alone- There’s always an ear willing to listen. “Despite how bad things might seem in your life, in your particular situation or in that moment, there’s always someone you can talk to,” says Wade. “A complete stranger, a friend or a family member.”

ZOOM IN: This month, the country is breaking down those obstacles that make it seem like suicide is a difficult topic to talk about through Suicide Prevention Month. “This month is really just about recognizing that this is something that somebody we love and care about, or even ourselves can go through and there’s no definitive timeline on when we might experience this or any kind of key indicators that might trigger this,” says Wade. “It’s just a really good opportunity for us to raise awareness at the community level so we in turn can do more to help individuals that struggle with this issue.”

• Although suicide prevention is shared more through the month of September, that doesn’t mean it’s the only time to be aware of it in our community. There are always resources available for those struggling with suicidal thoughts or know someone struggling – Right from your phone and right here in the New River Valley.

The New River Valley Community Service Center is location in Radford, VA.

ZOOM OUT: Suicide prevention is every day, every month of every year. The best way to reach out in an emergency if you or someone you know is in a crisis is by dialing the national line at 988. Wade says calling that number will reroute your call to a local provider, like New River Valley Community Services, to speak with someone in real time.

• “We at NRVCS have been really intentional over the last couple of years about expanding our crisis continuum to be a little more comprehensive and to really be helpful getting people connected in a timely manner,” says Wade. “So that they can potentially stay in the community and not have to be diverted to hospitals or be served at the crisis level.”

New River Valley Community Service is based in Radford. Wade says no matter what your situation is, they’ll offer someone to speak with so those tough conversations don’t seem so hard.

As the New River and Roanoke Valleys embrace fall, an increasingly common pest  is laying the groundwork for its next generation. 

Why it matters: The spotted lanternfly, an invasive species, poses threats to agriculture, trade and native species. It is also a nuisance to property owners.

• According to Virginia Tech’s Insect Identification Lab, by September lanternflies are in their adult stage and are beginning to lay egg masses. The eggs will overwinter and hatch in the late spring. 
• They feed on grapevines and cause declines in the health, yield and sugar content of grapes intended for usage in the wine industry. They can also cause harm to stone fruit, hops and more.

The big picture: The existence of the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in the United States is thought to have originated from trade coming out of northern China.

• It was first detected in the United States in eastern Pennsylvania in 2014. The first record of the species in Virginia was in Winchester in 2018.
• Egg masses travel on pallets, ornamental rocks and shipping containers if preventative measures are not taken.
• According to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), there are at least 17 states with recorded infestations.
• Spotted lanternflies are well adapted to handling cold climates in this part of the United States, where there is only one generation a year, and could thrive in warmer ones similar to South Asia, where there are multiple generations in a year.

Zoom in: Spotted lanternflies are becoming established in Roanoke and Radford. Reasonably, this means there is potential for greater expansion within the New River Valley and Roanoke Valley.

• “Radford is infested with spotted lanternfly. It’s on the edge of campus that faces towards the railroad tracks. We get reports from Fairlawn,” said Eric Day, manager of the Insect Identification Lab. “The other infestation area in Montgomery County is Ironto at that truck stop, there’s a population there as well too.”
• One was even recently found on Virginia Tech’s campus following a tailgate. 

Zoom Out: Spotted lanternflies are adaptable and could be coming to your yard next.

• They are effective at traveling on human transports. On their own, they may move three to five miles.
• The preferred food source of the spotted lanternfly is tree of heaven, which is another common invasive species hailing from China. Increased presence of this tree means increased habitability of a location for the spotted lanternfly.
• Spotted lanternfly droppings, referred to as honeydew, cause a sooty mold on other trees including maples. These droppings attract yellow jackets and other biting or stinging insects.
• 12 counties and 10 cities in Virginia, mostly in the Shenandoah Valley and in Northern Virginia, are currently under quarantine regarding spotted lanternfly. Businesses in the area must obtain a permit from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and undergo inspection for all regulated articles. 
• “It’s that sort of unfortunate stage where they are moving into the established pest stage. It was new and we [were] looking for new reports and everything – that’s what took up a lot of time, getting the word out,” Day said. “And now, I hate to say it, it’s here.”

What we’re watching: New reports of spotted lanternflies are coming in frequently. Expansion has the potential to occur rapidly. 

• While the most effective way to keep lanternflies away from home is to be cautious with purchases, there are also insecticides that consumers can choose to use.

If you find a spotted lanternfly in an area where an invasion has not already been identified, please be sure to report it to your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.

Virginia Tech just opened its first Living-Learning Community dedicated to students in active recovery from substance use. Called “The Roost,” it currently houses five students in recovery and is located on the first floor of Payne Hall, a central spot on the residential side of campus. 

Why it matters: The Virginia Tech Recovery Community was established in 2015 and has since become its own department under Hokie Wellness, Virginia Tech’s campus-wide programming that educates students on maintaining their physical, mental, and social health. 

The Recovery Community has hosted group meetings in its Recovery Lounge in Payne Hall for years. But now, the Lounge also serves as a home base for residents of The Roost: students whose suite-style dorm rooms are just down the hall. 

While Virginia Tech students commonly choose to only live on campus for their first year, The Roost is designed for students of all ages. The program even drew students who were previously living off campus to return to dorm-style housing, as its current makeup is two freshmen and three upperclassmen. 

The big picture: Living in The Roost, students receive individual counseling, design their own recovery journeys, and participate in larger Recovery Community events.

• Kaitlin Carter, a Virginia Tech alumna herself, is Assistant Director of the VT Recovery Community and works closely with students in The Roost. 
• “For our students who live in The Roost, they do meet with Amy Terry or myself at least once a month. They can meet with us more than that, if that’s what feels good, and some of them do. And then, they are required to attend our Recovery Seminar that meets on Fridays,” Carter said. 
• Amy Terry is The Roost LLC Program Director and has an office adjacent to Carter’s in the Recovery Lounge. 
• “Most Living-Learning Programs have an academic or course requirement, and [the Recovery Seminar] is our course requirement … We have different speakers come in, we do different activities in that to really focus on community-building in recovery support,” Carter explained.
• In terms of what’s discussed in one-on-ones, Carter said she talks a lot with students about how to navigate urges and cravings. 
• “We also talk pretty extensively about how to navigate relationships–friendships, romantic relationships–particularly if it doesn’t feel like folks in their life either know about their recovery or are supportive,” Carter added.

Zoom in: Julian, a student who transferred to Virginia Tech after taking classes at New River Community College, has been part of the Recovery Community for more than two years.

• Julian went to his first recovery meeting and enjoyed it, but didn’t attend another meeting until a month later. Hearing other students’ stories caused him to realize the gravity of his problem, but also encouraged him that change was possible. 
• “I guess what brought me back was I saw people who had it so much worse than I did–or, I guess, what I perceived as worse than I did–and they were getting better, and I was like, ‘Maybe there’s a chance,’” Julian said.
• Since becoming fully involved in the Recovery Community, Julian described noticing significant changes in his sense of responsibility, control, and in his sociability. 
• “The most important thing for me–which is, like, a pillar of my morals now–is a sense of very strong personal responsibility,” he said. “[But] after going to the meetings and coming back … I realize that it’s all on me, which is difficult but also really liberating.”

Zoom out: While there are college students struggling with addiction all across the country, it’s hard to ignore Virginia Tech’s location in Southwest Virginia, right along the Appalachian Mountains. 

• The Appalachian region was a main target of the Opioid Epidemic and continues to suffer its repercussions. 
• Carter pointed out that VT students may be particularly sensitive to opioid-related issues simply because the school pulls in a lot of in-state students. On top of that, many of these students are from within a tight radius of Blacksburg, further increasing their likelihood of knowing someone who has struggled with substance use. 
• Considering this, it’s understandable why VT has been expanding their resources and staff, implementing programs like The Roost to support their unique demographic of students. 
• As Carter put it, “We can’t expect for the issues that face Appalachia to not be on our campus.”
• Julian, who grew up only 30 minutes from campus, noted this as one of the reasons he found VT-specific recovery meetings especially effective. 
• “One of the reasons I was actually happy to be in the Recovery Community, versus a local meeting, was [because] I was going in with a problem with weed,” which he said was severe. “But if you go to, like, any of the meetings in Southwest Virginia, it’s meth, alcohol, and opioids. So, I didn’t really feel like I would even have a place.”

Virginia Tech has launched a voter registration portal in an attempt to make it easier for students to register to vote. The portal was created by VT Engage as a partnership with ALL IN To Vote.

Why It Matters

This portal is part of VT Engage’s mission “to facilitate leadership, service learning, ​and civic engagement experiences that ​advance community priorities, ​contribute to student development, ​and embody Ut Prosim (That I May Serve.)” 

VT Engage has recently put an increased focus on the civic engagement aspect of their goals. In 2023, they hired Billy McKeon to serve as their Civic Engagement Coordinator. In this role, McKeon supports the Civic Democracy Leadership Initiative and Hokies Vote Caucus.

Virginia Tech is a recognized as a Voter Friendly Campus. This means that they have an established plan to engage their students in the election process. 

The Big Picture

ALL IN was created in 2016 to and has helped solve a national concern of young Americans not participating in elections. 

ALL IN is a non-partisan organization that was built around the idea that “higher education should play a role in developing an active and informed citizenry by educating students, motivating them to engage in American democracy, and instilling the value of lifelong participation.” ALL IN “inspires, supports, and celebrates colleges and universities working to improve civic learning, political engagement, and voter participation.”

Flashback

Virginia Tech students have a history of participating in elections. According to the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE), Virginia Tech had 73% of eligible voters vote on Election Day and 90.7% of all students registered to vote in the 2020 Election. 

This involvement in the 2020 election earned Virginia Tech recognition as a Gold Campus for excellence in student voter engagement by the All In Campus Democracy Challenge.

Zoom Out

Outside of Virginia Tech, voting participation hasn’t been as high. According to the NSLVE, Radford University had 64.7% of eligible students vote in the 2020 election and 87.5% of their eligible students registered. Nationally, 66% of eligible students voted on Election Day. 

ALL IN is currently involved with 1,072 institutions across all 50 states. 

What We’re Watching

It is still unknown exactly how election participation will trend at Virginia Tech, in the region, and nationally. With this being ALL IN’s third presidential election, there are still some unknowns in terms of the impact they will have on the young voter turnout.

For now, both in-state and out-of-state students can access information on how to vote in the November 5th election through the portal online. 

By Sean Weinstock

With a return to the school year, Virginia Tech continues its efforts to create a more sustainable packaging system for all campus dining facilities.

“Several new initiatives are on the horizon and on-going, said Emily Williams, Dining Services Sustainability Manager. “We are continuously working on transitioning from single-use plastics to compostable options”.

In 2020 Virginia Tech adopted the Climate Action Commitment dedicating itself to being a leader in climate action to the community, the commonwealth, and the world. One of the key tenets of the commitment was for Virginia Tech to become a zero-waste campus by 2030. Dining Services is playing a key role in this effort.

Over the summer Virginia Tech Dining Services began updating packaging systems and incorporating new methods to reduce waste. One of the first steps was implementing new plastic containers that can be returned to dining halls. Single use plastics is one of the biggest sources of waste at the university. Another more recent change was the removal of plastic bags and water cups from all dining facilities. The removal of plastic bags aligns with a broader statewide initiative to charge for or remove plastic bags from many retail locations. “At the start of the semester I didn’t really notice that they were gone, but now not having them has made picking up food a little more annoying,” said Ryan Erickson, Virginia Tech student. While some students are less than thrilled with the changes in packaging, the sustainability team is confident that students will adjust, and the benefits far outweigh any inconvenience. “There has been some concern about the reduction of plastic bags in our dining centers,” said Williams. “We understand that plastic bags are a convenient option, and this change can be challenging for those accustomed to using them.”

Additionally, a new reusable tracking system is now being tested, starting at the West End Dining Hall. The program is called the West End Pilot Program. Sponsored by GrubHub and Topanga, the program is designed to track the reusable food containers so they can be returned properly and be ready for use again. Food delivery and carry out containers are another major source of plastic waste and developing a viable mechanism to switch to multiple use options is another important element of the university’s sustainability program.  “The pilot at West End has only been active for a little over a week but initial results are promising”, said Williams. “We are observing about an 89% return rate for containers; this marks a significant improvement compared to past semesters.” Since the start of the semester and the Pilot, the sustainability team has seen over 2,700 containers used and returned by Virginia Tech customers.

As with most sustainability and recycling efforts, separating materials early in the process is critical to the success of the initiative. This semester students in most dining facilities were greeted by new signage providing students with clear guidance on how to properly dispose of waste. In addition to signage, trash receptacles contain unique icons and color coding designed to make it easier for students to identify the appropriate bins at a quick glance, thereby increasing the likelihood of correct waste disposal. Having a universal system across all dining halls ensures consistency, which helps reinforce proper sorting habits. This new signage is intended to enhance front-end sorting by aligning student behavior with established back-end practices with the ultimate goal of bridging the gap between students’ waste disposal actions and Dining Services’ sustainability goals.

Efficiently disposing of organic waste is another important pillar of Virginia Tech’s sustainability program. Southgate Food Center has now implemented a Biodigester into their dining hall. A Biodigester works by using a process called aerobic digestion, to break down food waste by turning it into gray water and adding it into the plumbing system. Gray water requires less sewage treatment and can be used for gardening and other uses. The first Biodigester was implemented into Southgate Food Center in January 2024. “There are plans to explore the expansion of biodigesters to other dining facilities in the future”, said Williams. “The technology has proven to be quite effective at Southgate, and there is a strong desire to extend its use across more locations”. Virginia Tech’s sustainability team does not have a current timeline on when new biodigesters will be seen in dining facilities but assure that there are plans for more.

The Dining Facilities office does not operate in a vacuum and actively collaborates with various environmental and sustainability groups at Virginia Tech. “I work closely with other sustainable departments on campus, including the Office of Sustainability and Waste Management,” said Williams. “Additionally, I engage with student groups such as Rhizome, the Honors College, and several classes within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The office is continually exploring new opportunities for collaboration to further our sustainability goals and support student involvement in these initiatives.”

Williams emphasized that although progress has been made, it is still early days, and much work remains to achieve the university’s sustainability goals. There are several new initiatives on the horizon, many with a focus on transitioning from single-use plastics to compostable options. “We have hundreds of different items to convert and it’s something that can be time-consuming to complete,” said Williams.

Another important sustainability focus area is increasing local purchasing of produce and other food products. Buying locally supports local businesses and reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting food across the countries. The Dining Services office has internal goals to increase local purchasing. There is also an effort to expand the availability of organic products available to students. The Dining Services offices has an outreach and marketing program that targets local farmers.

With all of these new plans being set in motion at Virginia tech, there still comes the matter of cost. “Our primary goal as a department is to support the campus in achieving its Climate Action Commitment goals, this can sometimes come as an added expense,” said Williams. “We believe that the long-term benefits of these initiatives, both in terms of environmental impact and alignment with our sustainability objectives, outweigh the immediate costs”.