WHO: Four students—Melanie Cedano ’24, Miguel Pinto ’25, Josiah Hollis ’25 and Jonas Hollis ’27—from the University’s Engineers in Action (EIA) chapter, and Dr. Susan Ely, Assistant Professor of Engineering

WHAT: Students and faculty will discuss their experience from their summer 2024 EIA bridge build in the Lubombo region of eSwatini in southern Africa—the longest bridge built to date at more than 106 feet. The pedestrian footbridge connects two isolated communities to shops, schools, clinics, co-ops, churches and more. The bridge, completed in a little less than two months, benefits over 4,000 residents, including over 1,800 children. The previous bridge was in a state of disrepair after seasonal flooding. The new bridge ensures a year-round safe passage for members of the communities.

In addition to USI as a lead University, the project included students from Eastern Mennonite University and the University of Iowa.

This is USI’s ffith bridge project with previous builds in Bolivia, Virginia and Africa.

WHEN: The media event will be held at 8 a.m. Tuesday, September 24. It will begin at 8 a.m. promptly, so please arrive early to set up.

WHERE: The event will be held in the Business and Engineering Center (BEC), room 0030. A map of the USI campus, featuring the BEC, can be found at USI.edu/map.

*A select number of media parking spots will be reserved in Lot J. You can view Lot J at USI.edu/mapby toggling to “Parking” on the left “Map Layers” sidebar.

VINCENNES, Ind. September 23, 2024 –Our nation is indeed in a mental health crisis, according to a 2024 State of Mental Health in America Report. The report also gives alarming statistics, including that nearly 60 million adults (23.08%) experienced a mental illness in the past year. Among other findings, nearly 13 million adults (5.04%) reported serious thoughts of suicide.

As communities nationwide grapple with growing mental health concerns, Vincennes University, in partnership with the Family Health Center, Children and Family Services, Mental Health America of Knox County and the Knox County Health Department continues to take public action by hosting the fourth annual Knox County Suicide Prevention Walk. The event held on Saturday, Sept. 21, comes at a crucial time, as recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows increases in suicide rates across the United States, particularly among young adults and marginalized groups. In Indiana alone, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death, underscoring the urgent need for community-driven initiatives like this walk and accessible mental health resources.

The walk raises awareness, fosters community support, and provides a platform for open conversations about suicide prevention. The VU Counseling Center remains committed to partnering with local agencies to shine a light on the resources available to help those in need while also honoring the lives lost to suicide.

“Now more than ever, it’s essential that we come together as a community to address the mental health challenges many are facing,” said Kathleen Evans, LCSW and a representative from the VU Counseling Center. “Events like the Knox County Suicide Prevention Walk are vital in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and providing hope to those who are struggling.”

Participants in the walk connected with local mental health advocates and learned about available resources while participating in remembrance and solidarity. The event drew attendees from all over Knox County, uniting individuals from various backgrounds in a shared commitment to mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

“As mental health continues to be a pressing issue in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic challenges, and the pressures of modern life, community initiatives like this walk play a critical role in supporting individuals and families. Vincennes University and its partners hope that by bringing the conversation into the open, they can help dismantle barriers to seeking help and encourage those in need,” said VU Provost Dr. Laura Treanor.

The walk underscores the notion that mental health is not about reaching a destination; it’s a journey that must be navigated each day.