Our Team
Sonam (she, her, hers) // friends and family, cultural identity, mental health, stress management
Hi, my name is Sonam! I'm from Cary, NC and a junior studying Health Policy and Management and Neuroscience at UNC Chapel Hill. When I am not in class or drinking coffee, I am probably watching a crime show on Netflix, on a natural trail, baking, or finding a new coffee/boba shop. I want to help peers have open, honest, and support space to talk about things on their mind. I am happy to support and listen to anything and everything including being a part of the Asian-American community, academic stress, navigating college, friends, and life during COVID-19. No matter how big or how small the situation may be, please feel to reach out!
CO-FOUNDER & PEER RESPONDER |
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Camryn Peer responder & EXECUTIVE TEAM MEMBER |
Fatimah Peer responder |
Joseph peer responder & EXECUTIVE TEAM MEMBER |
Madison peer responder |
Aidan peer responder |
Robert peer responder |
Maddie peer responder |
Carlo peer responder |
Christopher peer responder |
Gabby Peer responder |
Tiosa Peer Responder |
Bobby PEER responder & EXECUTIVE TEAM MEMBER |
Aubrey Ella Peer responder |
Grace Fu PEER RESPONDER |
Our Team Bios
Sonam (she, her, hers) // friends and family, cultural identity, health & wellness, stress management, experiencing loss
Hi, my name is Sonam! I'm from Cary, NC and a senior studying Health Policy and Management and Neuroscience at UNC Chapel Hill. When I am not in class or drinking coffee, I am probably watching a crime show on Netflix, on a natural trail, baking, or finding a new coffee/boba shop. I want to help peers have an open, honest, and supportive space to talk about things on their mind. I am happy to listen to anything and everything including being a part of the Indian-American community, navigating college, friends, and life during COVID-19. No matter how big or how small the situation may be, please feel to reach out!
Hi, my name is Sonam! I'm from Cary, NC and a senior studying Health Policy and Management and Neuroscience at UNC Chapel Hill. When I am not in class or drinking coffee, I am probably watching a crime show on Netflix, on a natural trail, baking, or finding a new coffee/boba shop. I want to help peers have an open, honest, and supportive space to talk about things on their mind. I am happy to listen to anything and everything including being a part of the Indian-American community, navigating college, friends, and life during COVID-19. No matter how big or how small the situation may be, please feel to reach out!
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Sage (he, him, his) // anxiety, mental health, loneliness, transferring
Hi, my name is Sage! I am a senior Biology major at UNC Chapel Hill. I am from a small town in North Carolina with a population of about 1000 people. I transferred to UNC from a community college in my sophomore year, so I understand the struggles of transferring and being from a rural area. In my free time, I enjoy binging standup comedy specials on Netflix, spending time with friends, playing the ukulele, and watching any kind of UNC sports. I am happy to have conversations about mental health, anxiety, or any other topic that may be on your mind! Clare (she, her, hers) // mental health, relationships, anxiety, depression, disordered thoughts and behaviors
Hi, I’m Clare! I’m from Charlotte, NC, and I’m a junior at UNC majoring in psychology and business. When I’m not studying or hanging with friends, I love snuggling with my pets until they’re sick of me and doing work related to mental health! I was a peer facilitator for a support group on campus last semester, and I volunteer with an organization that is mobilizing to change institutional mental health problems. I am doing Peer2Peer because it is important to have people to talk to so that you’re not alone in your thoughts. No matter how big or small you feel your challenges are, they are valid, and I would love to talk through them with you. Please reach out! Michelle (she, her, hers) // mental health, stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, relationships, self-identity
Hi everyone! My name is Michelle and I am an undergraduate junior majoring in Psychology. Having spent my entire life growing up in Chapel Hill under the loving care of a single mother and as an Asian-American identifying as bisexual, I recognize the uniqueness of my identity and in turn the uniqueness of everyone else’s identities. Whether it be stress management, self love & acceptance, interpersonal relationships, anxiety, depression, loneliness or anything else in between, I believe that talking about life and everything that comes with it is important. Regardless of your identity, pain, hardship & emotions are all the same. Whatever the topic on your mind may be, I’m here to listen and talk. For fun facts, I love singing, reading, spending time outside, stitching, taking care of plants, and spending time with my family and friends. Olivia (she, her, hers) // anxiety, depression, managing stress, interpersonal relationships & conflicts, quarantine/isolation
Hey y’all! My name is Olivia and I am a junior Psychology major at UNC-Chapel Hill with a passion for traveling and adventure. I’ve lived in every mainland US time zone: California, Wisconsin, Colorado, & North Carolina, and I would love to live in Minneapolis, MN when I graduate. I love being in and around nature, especially when I get to take my dog or go camping. I’m happy to provide support for particular issues, as well as listen to whatever’s on your mind - mental health related or not! Zander (he, him, his) // mental health, anxiety, self-esteem, life transitions
Hi, my name is Zander! I am a second year graduate student studying chemistry at UNC. I was born in New Jersey, but spent most my time growing up in Boulder, Colorado. I attended a small liberal arts college in Minnesota for undergrad before moving to Massachusetts to get my Masters in chemistry. Most recently, I worked in the wine industry in Napa, CA before coming to UNC to work on a PhD. Having lived in four different places in the last five years, I have experience living through times of transitions and coping with uncertainty. In addition to my passions for chemistry and wine, I love to cook, watch Netflix (I’m a huge sucker for romcoms), UNC sports, and any excuse to spend time with other people. I am happy to have conversations about mental health, anxiety, life transitions, managing uncertainty, relationships, or anything else you may be thinking about! René (he/him/his) // mental health, loneliness/isolation, imposter syndrome, stress about low productivity, anxiety, self-esteem issues, international students, cultural clashes, LGBTQ, First Generation Grad Student
Hi everyone! I'm René and I’m second-year Sociology graduate student who loves classical music, karaoke, biking/hiking, and binging TV series. I was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, where my parents still live. After high school I moved to Montreal, Quebec (Canada) for my undergrad, then worked there for 2 years before moving to Chapel Hill. As a long-time international student/immigrant, I have learned/am still learning to deal with feelings of isolation and loneliness, as well as to thrive in a completely new culture while affirming your roots and sense of identity. I have extensive training in active listening and peer support from volunteering at my undergrad’s Peer Support Centre, and I am also certified in Mental Health First Aid. I definitely see how priceless it sometimes is to be able to talk to a new “peer” you don’t personally know in a non-judgmental way. Especially now with social distancing, I’d love to lend a listening ear or even just be a sounding board for anything big or small. So feel free to reach out! Gargi (she/her/hers) // identity, relationships, wellness strategies, imposter syndrome, loneliness, transitions, anxiety
Hi, I'm Gargi! I'm a freshman studying computer science and biostatistics at UNC. I'm from Morrisville, NC, but have also lived in Michigan and in Pune, India. I enjoy long walks and hikes with friends, and (lots of) reading. As a new student at UNC during a pandemic, I've struggled at times to feel connected to my peers, and know that it's a complicated time to be a student. I hope to be a friend and resource as a Peer Responder, and I'm eager to talk through anything that's on your mind! Brooke // grief, the military, transferring, anxiety, depression, loneliness, life transitions, stress, relationships, and quarantine/isolation
Hello my name is Brooke and I am currently a sophomore transfer student and Psychology major at UNC. I am from the military town of Jacksonville, NC my father was killed in action as a Marine Corps V-22 osprey pilot when I was 8 months old. Being a Gold Star child has not been easy, but I took my grief and turned it into something great by attending the United States Military Academy at West Point, serving in the Army. Though my Army career was cut short due to a service related injury, the time I served was the time of my life. I transferred to UNC just last Fall during Covid, which has made it much harder to form personal relationships and make new friends on campus. When I graduate UNC, I hope to work in clinical psychology and help military families on base. I am open to discussing an assortment of mental health topics including: grief, anxiety, stress, life transitions, and anything else on your mind. As a fellow Tar Heel, we are here to lean on each other and to provide support to get through tough times together! David (he,him,his) // social & test anxiety, relationships, school, managing stress, mental health, depression, friends & family
Hello, I'm David! I'm from Concord, NC and a junior at UNC majoring in biology with minors in chemistry and history. Most of the time I'm either studying, cooking, or at the gym. With the free time I do have I also am a co-founder and exec board member of H4H carolina (a heart health student-led organization that does work in the area). In high school and the beginning of college there were many instances where my mental health had taken a toll in order to just keep up in school, and I have learned so much in the process that I wish I would have known then. I would love to share the knowledge and experience I have in order to help others deal with their struggles and come out better for it on the other side! I have personal and family experience with a vast range of things mental health and I really want to help share things in order to make it easier on anyone I can! Christina (she, her, hers) // anxiety, stress, self-advocating, life transitions, building support systems
My name is Christina and I am a graduate student in the Gillings School of Public Health. As part of a Navy family, I moved a bunch growing up but call Philadelphia home. I love reading, coffee, running, and spending time with friends and family. I am happy to talk to peers about adjusting to living in a new place, neurodiversity & navigating school, the nonlinear process of healing from trauma, as well as any and all of the daily challenges and victories we experience as students Fatimah // Family & friends, mental health, stress management, Muslim Identity
My name is Fatimah Jangana and I am from Gambia, West Africa. I am a senior, majoring in psychology and sociology. I love talking about mental health and raising awareness about its significance. Outside of school, I like listening to podcasts, hanging with friends and family, and baking. As a peer responder, I would like to talk about adjusting to a major university as a transfer student, traveling 1000s of miles away from your family, anxiety, stress management, and much more. As a Muslim, I’d also like to talk to peers about embracing that identity with confidence and dignity. Camryn (she/they) // mental health, anxiety, depression, ADHD, LGBTQ, self-identity, imposter syndrome
Hi everyone, my name is Camryn! I’m a sophomore from Thomasville, North Carolina studying Psychology. I’m involved currently with RHA and the Student Union here at UNC. When I’m not in class, I will probably be painting, listening to music, baking, or hanging out with my friends. Growing up, I was always a person of support for a lot of my friends and would be more than happy to extend this to any of you that need it! As someone who has lived through a multitude of experiences such as mental struggles or self-identity concerns, I know these things can make you feel alone and down. Whatever is on your mind, you can always feel free to reach out to me. I hope to make a safe space to be open for anyone who might need it, and would love to share my own story to help others deal with their own struggles and how to address them head-on! Joseph (he/him) // Academics/future schooling and life plans, peer/classmate/roommate struggles, relationship issues, family issues
Hey there! My name is Joseph Flesch, and I’m a Sophomore majoring in Psychology! I am a first-generation college student, huge Swiftie, and I am involved with the Healthy Heels Network and Campus Recreation. I love watching new TV shows and movies, checking off all of the Tar Heel traditions, and exploring all of the amazing food on Franklin Street. Being part of the community here at Carolina is very important to me, and I want to provide the biggest impact that I can by helping others. As a member of a research lab, and an employee with Campus Recreation, I interact with new people every day and try my best to provide a safe and inclusive environment. I’m here to talk through anything, so please reach out; I love meeting new people and supporting in any way I can! Madison (she/her/hers) // Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, Anxiety, Transitions, Imposter Syndrome
Hello! I’m Madison and I’m a senior (but will probably have an extra semester or two) double majoring in PWAD and Global Studies. With everything going on right now, I sincerely feel called to use my experiences with mental health to help my peers. I have bipolar disorder, ADHD, and generalized anxiety disorder, so I have a lot of personal experience with mental illness and learning how to cope with it in college and beyond. I’m also a transfer student, so I’d be happy to assist with transitions and imposter syndrome. I’ve learned a lot of coping skills from years of therapy, and I know therapy is not an option for many people, so I would enjoy having the ability to pass along some of the skills I have learned. I would love to be useful in any capacity that is needed! Aidan // sexuality (LGBTQ+), vulnerability, managing life changes/adjustments, depression, anxiety, addiction, managing mental health, imposter syndrome, managing school stressors
Hey! :D I am Aidan, a second year undergraduate student studying Psychology and Human and Organizational Leadership and Development (HOLD)! I am currently apart of a lab in the School of Education and am leading an independent research study. After undergrad I am hopeful of going to graduate school for a PhD in Clinical Psychology. I grew up in rural Illinois primarily raised by a single mother who got laid off during the '08-'09 recession and put herself through school while supporting my brother and I. Growing up, I was surrounded by addiction and a lot of what that can entail. As I got older, I started realizing that my sexuality differed from those around me and it took me a while before I could accept myself as gay. The community was very conservative and religious and I simply didn't fit into their picture. After my first year of high school, I moved to Gastonia, NC with my dad and bonus-mom. There I fell in love with North Carolina and met "my people"! Moving schools was challenging because I went from knowing everyone in my small community in Illinois (pop: 2500) to knowing no one in Gastonia (pop: 75,000)! It was lonely at first, but I sought help, made (and am making) some amazing life-long friends, and I ultimately made Gastonia my own. When not working on academics, I enjoy to watch and participate in theatre, hike NC with my friends, travel, and spend time with my dogs (that I miss greatly being at college). Robert (he, they) // anxiety, depression, intimate partner violence, CPTSD/trauma, addiction, mania, isolation, LGBTQ+, transferring, video game habits
Hey! I'm Rob, and I'm a second-year undergraduate student studying Human Development and Family Studies. I'm passionate about social work and enjoy connecting with people more than anything. I like to read, write, and listen to music in my free time. If you're looking for someone to chat with about virtually anything, please reach out! I would absolutely love to meet you :) Maddie (she, her, hers) // anxiety, depression, family health issues, healthy habits, body image
Hey y’all! My name is Maddie, and I’m *an overwhelmed* first year from Huntersville, NC. I’m hoping to study Public-Health and Spanish. I’ve already changed my major once so we will see :) I spend a lot of time here hanging with friends, studying, and absolutely demolishing Spicy 9’s Pad Thai. I have dealt with mental health issues off and on for a while now and I feel as though I found some great coping strategies. I’d love to share them with anyone struggling. My mom was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, so I also have experience dealing with parental/family health issues. I’d be happy to talk to anyone about anything weighing on them big or small! Carlo (he, they) // mental health, depression, anxiety, grief & loss, stress, child of immigrants/cultural identity, LGBTQ+, career & life transitions, work-school-life balance, conflict resolution, imposter syndrome, meditation & self-care strategies
Hello, my name is Carlo! I'm a first-generation grad student in UNC's online MPH program with previous experience in peer mediation and conflict resolution. After graduating from Virginia Tech in 2017 with a dual degree in Psychology and Biochemistry, I took a gap year to travel following the loss of a close family member. I relocated to Chicago in 2018 and worked in the pharmaceutical industry for a little over three years before moving back to my hometown in Northern Virginia. I realized I was unhappy in that job and decided to leave in order to pursue a career pivot towards mental health research and advocacy, which is the reason I'm back in school now! Currently, I work full-time as an Admissions Coordinator in the College of Professional Studies at The George Washington University in addition to being a full-time remote student. This role allows me to work closely with applicants and new students, so I'm excited to be able to connect and work with fellow UNC students through Peer2Peer as well. I also sing with the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC and volunteer with Kamayan Coalition, a nonprofit focused on issues at the intersection of LGBTQ+ and Filipinx/a/o American identities. My hobbies include travel, plants, cooking, and collecting vinyl records; but you can usually find me watching K-dramas, making Spotify playlists, and trying new restaurants in my free time! Christopher (he, him, his) // stress, time-management, self-efficacy, interpersonal relations, wellness strategies
Hey all!! My name is Christopher, I’m a first year student from Asheville, NC. I’m currently planning on double majoring in Exercise and Sports Science and Psychology at UNC. In my free time I love new food, getting outside, working out (especially running), and watching movies with friends! As one of 9 children in my family (including step-siblings), I’ve got extensive experience with family and friend relations, and the importance of finding time to be with only yourself. Running competitive Track throughout my life, I’m also no stranger to shaping your inner-voice, time management techniques, and finding the value in failures. My biggest passion in life is learning people’s stories and listening to every experience, major or minor, that people encounter. I look forward to talking to anyone and everyone about any topic, ranging from passions to mental health to tv shows! Gabby (she, her, hers) /// anxiety (mild, severe, temporary, or chronic), depression, OCD, relationships, body image, identity, self-confidence
Hi, my name is Gabby! I'm a junior here at Chapel Hill studying Psychology with minors in Neuroscience and French. I consider myself an artist at heart: I love all kinds of music and am dedicated to the visual arts. I'm well acquainted through past experience with various difficulties one could encounter with mental health. As a peer responder, I'd like to provide help however I can to people struggling with mental health, even if only through an open mind and heart. If I can, I'd like to provide a moment of comfort to people struggling and help them on the path to healing. Tiosa (they/he/she) // gender and sexuality (LGBTQ+), child of immigrants/cultural identity, mental health, personal identity, friends and family, Black issues, transitions
Hi, I’m Tiosa! I’ve moved around a lot, but I was born in Collingswood, NJ. I’m a junior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Creative Writing. When I’m studying or sleeping, I like making zines, crafting jewelry, and watching 7 hour video game playthroughs. As a Black nonbinary person going to UNC, I really understand the importance of leaning on others who are willing to listen and understand you. It’s rough out here! Whatever you’re going through, I’m willing to lend an ear and listen to whatever’s on your mind! Bobby (he/him/his) // mental health/feeling overwhelmed/school is hard/disappointment/stress over low productivity/LGBTQ+ issues/coming out/acceptance/fitting in/disordered eating/difficulty managing conflict/making time for self-care
Hi! I’m Bobby. I’m first-year who’s still figuring out life here at UNC. I live in Koury and plan on taking a Health Policy and Management Major. When I have some free time, I love cooking/baking and listening to Taylor Swift. I’m also a good listener, and I joined Peer2Peer because there is nothing I appreciate more than someone who listens to me nonjudgmentally when something is weighing on me. I want to be that person for you. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I value all identities and am willing and ready to listen to anything you would like to discuss, vent, or unburden yourself of; if it is on your mind, then it’s not too small to talk about. Aubrey Ella (she/her/hers) // anxiety, ADHD, learning disability (accompanied by an IEP 1st grade- 5th grade). Parental divorce, substance abuse, personality disorder, addition of step-parent and family
Hey! My name is Aubrey Ella. I am a sophomore Psychology and Exercise & Sport Science major. I am from Wilmington, North Carolina and love spending time at the beach, especially sponging (a fancy name for boogie boarding ;)). I also love being active whether that be through running, going to the gym, competing in random competitions, or anything else (except ball sports- I don't mesh well with those due to a severe lack of hand-eye coordination but I applaud others with these skills). As a peer responder, I feel as though my strengths are engaging in conversations about anxiety and stress, navigating friendships and other interpersonal relationships, developing healthy coping skills, dealing with toxic and harmful family situations, addiction, and the development of healthy and positive school habits. I look forward to talking with some of you! Grace Fu (she/her/hers) // international student, self-identity, building friendships, life uncertainties, religion, on-campus life
Hello! My name is Grace Fu. I am a Sophomore majoring in Biology on a pre-med track. I am a devoted Christian, and I like to play guitar, draw, and play video games. I moved from China to the United States when I was 13, so I am very familiar with both Western and Eastern cultures. I am patient, empathetic, and a good listener, and I am eager to help students who may need support with their mental health, self identity, friendship building, or any other life questions/uncertainties. Whatever you want to share, I'm here to listen. I am always willing to do my best to comfort my peers and bring them peace and joy. |
