Project Oyster

Welcome to the first of our Campus Series! In this episode, we meet NYU freshman Cecilia Lim, who spent most of her high school years as the star student. But beneath the surface of her seemingly-perfect life, she was struggling with an eating disorder, depression, and anxiety as she tried to deal with her personal traumas on her own. Now in college with a fresh start, Cecilia reflects on her journey to seek help. 

NYU Counseling and Wellness Services: (212) 443-9999

NYU Virtual Psychiatric Services: (212) 998-4780

Project Oyster is growing and changing! Listen to this short special episode to see how we are expanding but committed to staying true to our roots. 

In this episode, Chanel Miller—activist and author of the critically acclaimed memoir, “KNOW MY NAME”—talks about her experience with trauma and depression and how she uses creativity as a coping mechanism. Chanel, who graduated from Gunn in 2010, reflects on how she navigated finding help in the aftermath of the suicide clusters that occurred during her time in high school. After the struggles she endured in both high school and the courtroom, Chanel wants you to know: you deserve love and care.

This episode features guest co-host Dr. Sampathi, who went to Gunn high school with Chanel and is a current psychiatry resident at Kaiser Permanente of Northern California.

Our episode today is a little different than our usual story-centered episodes. We have Dr.Sampathi, part of Gunn's graduating class of 2010, talk about his experiences in the aftermath of Gunn High School's suicide clusters and how they affected his career path to becoming a psychiatrist—all while answering questions submitted by our listeners. The links to the resources mentioned in the episodes are http://www.heardalliance.org/ and https://www.stanfordchipao.com/.

Junior Arianna Orsua has struggled with body image throughout her early teen years. In this episode, we look into the complexities that come with having eating disorders and distorted views of beauty: diagnosis, healing, and recovery. Arianna shows us that, sometimes, the best way to improve self-esteem is to fake it until you believe it. 

Palo Alto High School graduate Rima Parekh, like many other high schoolers, saw college as the end goal. But what happens after you actually get in? Rima tell s her story of adjusting to college and the hardships she experienced from facing change. In this episode, we explore what's beyond the college apps- our mental health, our personal lives, and most importantly, our happiness. 

Gunn alumna Chloe Sørensen has been a mental health advocate since her early years of high school. In this episode, Chloe talks about her experience in the aftermath of the Palo Alto suicide clusters and the conflicting thoughts she had while trying to find help. She shows us that, sometimes, we need courage from others to practice what we preach. 

Is getting help for depression a hipster "solution" that's just trending? Is depression medication always the simple answer to mental health problems? Rising senior Abby Sullivan shares her own story from when she asked these questions herself to where she is now: someone who has gone through the healing process. Through a candid telling of her own experience with mental health issues, Abby affirms that we are all worthy to seek help. Trigger warning: Suicide. 

How do you approach someone who has lost a mother? What is the "process" for overcoming grief? Beloved Gunn High School senior Anna Reitman, known for her witty jokes and contagious smiles, gives us a raw look into the aftermath of losing a parent. Anna shows us that it takes time, but accepting loss is possible. 

Welcome to the first special episode of Project Oyster! In this episode, we are celebrating Cristina Florea, a Gunn High School math and business teacher and also one of our key mentors for this podcast. Cristina helped Project Oyster become what it is today, and we are forever grateful for what she has done for us and the hundreds of Gunn students who have been impacted by her. Cristina Florea shows us that sometimes, not all heroes wear capes.