UCI CARE Narrative Project

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Hazal, Mica, and Dr. Christine discuss mental health support through the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Christine shares how mental health services became more accessible for many during the pandemic. The group discusses support in light of changing COVID restrictions, the impact of the pandemic on international students as they face multiple unique challenges, and how self-care and coping may look different based on the individual and their background. Addressing social media, they explore the role it has played in the societal discussion of mental health and vaccines throughout the pandemic.

Content Warning: discussion of collective trauma, mention of anxiety and depression.

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Mica, Hazal, and Pauline discuss mental health awareness and the COVID-19 pandemic. They begin by discussing how the pandemic has impacted their day-to-day lives as students and their attempts to manage increases in workload. Sharing personal experiences, they grapple with the exhaustion the pandemic environment has created and how it has impacted them. They share how connection to loved ones and other support has shifted in the completely virtual setting, which presented both challenges and new accessibility. They end their discussion with touching upon COVID anxiety and the fear of the unknown.

Content Warning: mention of anxiety and depression.

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Mica, Hazal, Irene, Andrea, and Brenda discuss sorority and fraternity life and power-based personal violence. They begin the conversation by defining what “Greek,” or sorority and fraternity, life looks like on campus and their involvement. They share their positions, experience with mentorship, and friendships within their sororities. Addressing stereotypes, they discuss barriers many BIPOC individuals face when trying to join a sorority or fraternity and what changes need to be made to foster inclusivity. The group highlights how power dynamics work within these organizations, particularly between new and old members, and ends the episode with a conversation on double standards and how sorority and fraternity life should continue to improve.

Content Warning: mention of hypersexualization of women and sexual assault.

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Mica, Hazal, Irene, Andrea, and Brenda discuss sorority and fraternity life and power-based personal violence. They begin the conversation by defining what “Greek,” or sorority and fraternity, life looks like on campus and their involvement. They share their positions, experience with mentorship, and friendships within their sororities. Addressing stereotypes, they discuss barriers many BIPOC individuals face when trying to join a sorority or fraternity and what changes need to be made to foster inclusivity. The group highlights how power dynamics work within these organizations, particularly between new and old members, and ends the episode with a conversation on double standards and how sorority and fraternity life should continue to improve.

Content Warning: mention of hypersexualization of women and sexual assault.

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Hazal, Sue, Mica, and Daisy discuss what gender means to them and how gender is socialized. They share the personal ways in which they define gender and how courses within their field of study have defined it. The group discusses how society predetermines gender and reinforces the binary gender system through baby showers and toy products. Through exploration of personal upbringings, they elaborate on how they were rewarded or criticized when a gender boundary was seemingly crossed. They bring to attention how stereotypes of masculinity and femininity impact people of all gender identities and conclude the episode with a discussion on reasons why some people are hesitant to seek out resources due to these stereotypes.

Content warning: discussion of sexual assault.

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Hazal, Sue, Mica, and Daisy discuss what gender means to them and how gender is socialized. They share the personal ways in which they define gender and how courses within their field of study have defined it. The group discusses how society predetermines gender and reinforces the binary gender system through baby showers and toy products. Through exploration of personal upbringings, they elaborate on how they were rewarded or criticized when a gender boundary was seemingly crossed. They bring to attention how stereotypes of masculinity and femininity impact people of all gender identities and conclude the episode with a discussion on reasons why some people are hesitant to seek out resources due to these stereotypes.

Content warning: discussion of sexual assault.

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Ilayda, Hazal, Mica, Jodie, Anna, and Irene discuss online dating and consent and how online interactions and discussions around dating have changed during the pandemic. The group shares personal experiences with specific dating apps and their opinions on using them, including pros and cons. They talk about how dating app usage has increased and led to more virtual interactions. Just as with in-person interactions and relationships, it is important to establish healthy communication around consent and boundaries in online spaces. They bring the discussion to the topic of precautions and red flags; red flags are more visible on dating apps, however, it can be risky meeting someone in person for the first time. They end the conversation with some thoughts on generational differences around perceptions of online dating and understandings of consent.

Content Warning: mention of body shaming, race discrimination and exotification, and manipulative behavior.

Resources: “How To Be An Online Dating Pro” Graphic

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Ilayda, Hazal, Mica, Jodie, Anna, and Irene discuss online dating and consent and how online interactions and discussions around dating have changed during the pandemic. The group shares personal experiences with specific dating apps and their opinions on using them, including pros and cons. They talk about how dating app usage has increased and led to more virtual interactions. Just as with in-person interactions and relationships, it is important to establish healthy communication around consent and boundaries in online spaces. They bring the discussion to the topic of precautions and red flags; red flags are more visible on dating apps, however, it can be risky meeting someone in person for the first time. They end the conversation with some thoughts on generational differences around perceptions of online dating and understandings of consent.

Content Warning: mention of body shaming, race discrimination and exotification, and manipulative behavior.

Resources: “How To Be An Online Dating Pro” Graphic

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Hazal, Ilayda, Mica, Rasta, and Yvonne discuss physical and mental boundaries in the context of a variety of relationships. They highlight the dynamic nature of boundaries and the importance of communication when establishing and enforcing boundaries. They elaborate on unique experiences that can impact a person’s boundaries and specify how cultural norms may create an environment less conducive to setting up boundaries. They conclude the conversation with a dialogue on how adults can aid in creating safe spaces for youth as it is never too early to have conversations about body autonomy and consent.

Content Warning: mention of potentially non-consensual physical contact

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Hazal, Ilayda, Mica, Rasta, and Yvonne discuss physical and mental boundaries in the context of a variety of relationships. They highlight the dynamic nature of boundaries and the importance of communication when establishing and enforcing boundaries. They elaborate on unique experiences that can impact a person’s boundaries and specify how cultural norms may create an environment less conducive to setting up boundaries. They conclude the conversation with a dialogue on how adults can aid in creating safe spaces for youth as it is never too early to have conversations about body autonomy and consent.

Content Warning: mention of potentially non-consensual physical contact