MARTINSBURG — Logan Riffey is an advocate for improving access to mental health resources.
Originally from Berkeley Springs and a graduate from Hedgesville High School, Riffey has been continuing his education at West Virginia University, pursuing his dreams.
Recently, WVU released that it has endorsed Riffey for the prestigious British Marshall Scholarship, offering more than 40 young Americans the opportunity to study in the United Kingdom for two fully funded years toward a graduate degree.
While Riffey did not get selected, he explained, for the interview process to move forward, he is looking into opportunities, such as the Fulbright Scholarship, in order to allow him to continue in his research and sharing his passions. Riffey said he has applied for the Fulbright Scholarship and is waiting on announcements.
Interested in studying the therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs for treatment of PTSD and depression, Riffey said his desire to research keeps him going and motivated. He is a dual major in biology and psychology in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.
He said that being from a small town taught him the importance that a sense of community can have.
“I had a great community that supported me there. Going into the college atmosphere, I was worried I wouldn’t have that sense of community, but I eventually did find that community there through things I became involved in,” Riffey said.
He has applied for the Fulbright Scholarship research/study program, and if selected, he hopes to attend a university in the Netherlands — Maastricht University.
“This award would essentially give me a year to study a master’s program, and I intend to, if awarded this, pursue a master of science in phycology with a neuropsychology specialization,” he said.
To those around him, Riffey is one who applies himself in all aspects of his research and life.
“Logan is an exceptional student who has taken advantage of the vast array of opportunities at WVU, not only in his classes, but also in Student Government Association and in his own research work,” Lisa Di Bartolomeo, teaching professor of Russian studies and Slavic and East European studies at WVU, said about Riffey in the official release.
She added that Riffey took the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and used them to help his fellow students and to make WVU a more caring space for students experiencing mental health issues.
During the pandemic, Riffey witnessed the challenges his fellow students faced while navigating social distancing and remote learning. Inspired to be a voice for those who were struggling to cope, Riffey used his platform and connections as the legislative affairs liaison to advocate for better access to mental health resources on campus, the release explained.
“I think the most profound leadership experience I’ve had on campus so far has been in Student Government Association,” he added. “As the legislative affairs liaison, I’m an important link between the students of West Virginia University and government outside of WVU.”
Last year, he led an effort to obtain more funding for collegiate mental health, not just at WVU but across the state, the release said.
“We started the Mountaineer Resilience Project, a resolution passed by Student Government calling on Gov. Jim Justice to allocate a number of CARES Act funding to WVU for collegiate mental health-related issues that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Riffey said.
Although unsuccessful in that effort, he and other student representatives quickly shifted gears in pursuit of a budget allocation, which resulted in a draft of House Bill 4678, the release explained.
“Unfortunately, it stalled, but we were able to get a study resolution passed,” he added. “That commissioned a study of collegiate mental health so that the Legislature is more informed to vote and make decisions on it in the upcoming legislative session.
“It’s often rare for you to work on something in the government and get it passed the first year. It takes several years. You’re building connections with lawmakers. You’re building trust. Through the study that was commissioned, and voices of students and administrators and higher education, they learn over the years that this is an important issue. That sets us up for success in the future,” Riffey added in the release.
He also explained that he also realizes government alone won’t solve issues related to access to mental health resources on college campuses. Awareness is also a key part of the equation.
“I’m the co-president of Active Minds, a mental health advocacy and awareness organization,” he said. “We try to do things on campus to bring awareness to various mental health problems that students might experience, and we’re also an advocacy organization so we talk to lawmakers, as well.”
The organization often sets up tables in traffic-heavy spaces on campus to bring awareness to suicide, stress and campus mental health resources. Members also fundraise for organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
“Logan is tireless and fearless in his advocacy for more mental health support,” Di Bartolomeo added in the release. “His leadership and willingness to push hard to help his fellow students is truly noteworthy and brave.”
Riffey told The Journal that he is proud of the work he has done so far and that he plans on continuing to move forward no matter what.
“Sometimes, I look back, and I imagine myself in the shoes of freshman me. Sometimes, I can’t believe that I have done so much in college. I didn’t really think I had the idea I would be so involved. I just took things as they came and went with the flow. It has been inspiring for me to look back — some days I think I am not doing enough, but it is nice to look back and reflect on what I have done,” he said.
