Archive: Our Lives, Our Journeys, Our Stories

Bryce Hampton, a senior majoring in Computer Science at UAB, joins us to talk about his journey of being diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and OCD. He speaks about navigating college and how he learned to accept his diagnoses and enjoy his life.

Kit Emslie, Assistant Director of UAB Collegiate Recovery Community, joins us for this episode to talk about substance use and where to go to find help. They speak about their own personal perseverance through substance use in college, and they inform us how and where to find help at UAB.

In this episode, we interview Noor Chaudhry, an undergraduate Honors College student at UAB. Noor discusses how adjusting to a new sense of normalcy following the pandemic challenged her, and what she gained from that experience. She also speaks on how important interpersonal skills are in developing relationships with others and oneself. Noor also sheds some light on how we can all encourage genuine empathy, despite our differences. Noor Chaudhry is a wonderful student and friend, and we hope her insight on empathy and mental health makes an impact on you. 

In this episode, we interview Dr. Angela Stowe, director of Student Counseling Services and chair of the Suicide Prevention Initiative at UAB. Dr. Stowe discusses how her own mental health has been tested by the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the counseling needs of college students and faculty have changed. She also speaks on shared human challenges and experiences, and how the power of community can overcome these. Dr. Stowe also sheds some light on how we can all heal and move forward with a fresh perspective after living through a pandemic. Dr. Stowe is a pure, unconditionally loving spirit on our campus, and we are honored to facilitate the spread of her impact to our listeners! 

In this episode, we interview Dr. Robin Lanzi, professor in the Department of Health Behavior in the UAB School of Public Health and founder of the UAB Mental Health Ambassadors. Dr. Lanzi discusses her childhood, her college experience, and how she views mental health now as an adult. She also speaks on her own journey with mental health, and how that inspired her to help others along the way. Also discussed are topics such as being a first-generation student, finding one's passion in life, and mental health advice. Dr. Lanzi inspires us everyday to be better to ourselves and others, and we hope her journey inspires you, too.

In this episode we interview Maria Pia Bustamante, a 20 year old resident of Lima, Peru. Maria Pia discusses her experience with conformity and codependency. Also discussed are things like ethnicic descrimination, the importance of therapy, and the differences between life in Piura and Lima.

In this episode we interview Vishal Suthram, a freshman at UAB studying biomedical sciences. Vishal discusses his personal experience with bipolar disorder and years of not being diagnosed. Also discussed are things like the impact of validation, misconceptions about bipolar disorder, and hospitalization. Vishal’s story provides a peek inside the life of someone with bipolar one, and we want to make it heard.

In this episode we interview Destyni Cravens, a double major in psychology and sociology at UAB with a passion for mental health. She discusses her time growing up in a household affected by a parent with Bipolar disorder. This shorter episode provides an interesting perspective on the world of mental health, that of an affected observer. Destyni’s story broadens the scope of mental health by connecting it beyond the people experiencing illness, and we want to make it heard.

In this episode we interview Sarah Avery Vise, a nursing student at UAB with a passion for mental health. She discusses how she was hospitalized for a week during her senior year of high school after a mental health related event. Also discussed are things like the treatment of mental health in healthcare fields and how even in the darkest places you can find your inspiration. Sarah Avery’s story is not one often represented, and we want to make it heard.

In this episode we interview Herbert Wilkerson, a clinical counselor at UAB Student Counseling Services. Herb discusses how finances played into his mental health and state of mind throughout his college experience. Also discussed are things like insecurity and pressure. Herb's story is the story of many college students, and we want to make it heard.