The Peer Mental Health Advocates are trained students with lived experience of mental illness & disability committed to supporting their fellow students navigate the process of self-advocacy. PMHAs provide peer counseling + advocacy services, connect students to resources both on and off campus, offer emotional/social support, and offer accurate information regarding  mental health, illness, and healing. PMHAs meet with their peers on a weekly basis, allowing them to form different individual partnerships and provide personalized care.

PMHAs will not provide mental health care that is outside of their training, and will not fill the role of therapists-- peer support is a different type of health care entirely, that is especially helpful for folks with oppressed identities & stigmatized illnesses.

Click here to request a PMHA

Click here to refer a student to a PMHA 

Kat – Diagnosis: GAD; Lived experience with: depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation/planning, panic attacks, being first-gen + low income @ Brown, CAPS + outside therapy.

Scott- Environmental Studies + East Asian Studies (’19). Lived experiences: suicidal ideation, sexual assault, PTSD, STDs, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, off-campus therapy, medication … Intersections of mental health, low-income status, and queerness. Precautionary or reactionary. Every moment is a new chance!

Nico, Africana Studies/Music, 2017. Experience with: eating disorders, depression, anxiety, short-term hospitalization, navigating healthcare while trans, academic accommodations. Areas of focus: gender and sexuality, ACT, CBT, nutrition, movement, sexual violence prevention, mindfulness, time management and stress reduction

Elena – International Relations '17 – diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder – experiences with eating disorders, sexual assault, self-harm, suicidal ideation, toxic relationships, substance abuse, misdiagnosis, medication (antidepressants and antipsychotics), off-campus resources including partial-hospitalization programs, CBT and DBT

Zoe; Sophomore; Public Health OCD, Depression, Social Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety & Disordered Eating. Lived experience with sexual assault, self harm, medication, CBT, ACT, CAPS & finding off campus resources. I'm always here to listen.

Sachin, Computer Science and International Relations ('17) --- Areas of Focus: Anxiety, depression, cultural differences, CS culture and staying healthy; Resources: CBT, ACT, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy.

Allie - BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder), MDD (Major Depressive Disorder), Panic Disorder, GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder); Lived experiences: Early parental loss, sexual assault, suicidal thoughts, CBT, DBT, SEAS (academic accommodations), medication transitions, managing jealousy and anger in interpersonal relationships. Mental illness is hard, but we're stronger together!

Nick - OCD, Depression, and GAD. Diagnosed with OCD at an early age, Nick has had much practice dealing with obsessive-compulsive behavior and would love to help/talk to anyone experiencing any sort of OCD symptoms. Nick actively implements many therapies for OCD, depression, and GAD, including ACT therapy, CBT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Nick has also taken a leave at Brown, and would love to talk with anyone considering that option!

Gloria Essien, '17 Contemplative Studies; Lived experience with: depression, disordered eating. I am largely interested in alternative medicine, so a lump sum of the resources and coping skills I use are related to MBCT, mindfulness meditation, etc,...

P​aige - Urban Studies '17.5. Lived experience with ​​anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and abuse. Particularly interested in supporting my fellow Adult Children of Alcoholics, abuse survivors, and/or LGBTQ folks. ​Favorite coping mechanisms:​ therapy, journaling, habit tracking, and having No Chill.

Marie Lachance - Freshman; BEO with a specific focus in social entrepreneurship. Primary focuses: eating disorders (anorexia and bulimia), food anxiety, and over-exercising. Outside of being a PMHA, I make late night smoothies in the Ivy Room, teach swim lessons for preschoolers, serve on the marketing team for Stand Up! and TEDxBrownU, and I love to run around Providence, drink coffee, and watch Gilmore Girls.

Judith - Queer Neuroscience Concentrator with [generalized anxiety, physical tics, social anxiety, panic attacks] My coping mechanisms include [seeking out people, humor, writing, exercise, and being gentle with myself.] I also have experience with medication, therapy, and SEAS accommodations.

Dorothy - Suicidal thoughts, ideas, coping; Focus: suicide prevention, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), anxiety, disordered eating, stress management, intersectional oppression, emotional abuse

Sophie, Cognitive Neuroscience '19 Lived experience with anxiety, depression, ADHD and dealing with medication for all of the above- Also experienced with eating disorders, CBT, and cultivating well-being through positive psychology and mindfulness techniques.

Paula - Depression/anxiety disorder. Focus: panic attacks, suicide prevention, seeking medical help, dealing with family & mental health, recovery, cultural barriers. I am also here to talk about other issues like cultural shock, being low income and/or a minority student at Brown, etc.

Alex — Lived experience with: depression, OCD, anxiety, suicidal ideation/action, panic attacks, family struggle, social isolation, SSRI medication, CBT, time/stress/anxiety management, romantic/interpersonal relationships, CAPS

Elise – Math or Physics concentrator ’19; Lived experience with: anxiety and depression, suicidal and self-harm ideations, SSRI medication, talk therapy, transition from CAPs to off-campus support, long distance relationships, mood issues related to oral contraceptives, being an athlete at Brown, transition-induced stress, feelings of isolation; Resources Used: CBT, talk therapy, SSRIs, exercise, journaling, being with people.

Phoebe; Anxiety Disorders; (Focus: Depression, anxiety, interpersonal relationships, periods of transition, stress management)

Ally -- Public Health -- Senior; Depression & Anxiety; Lived experience w/ sexual violence, panic attacks, self-esteem issues, friends' suicide attempts; Big on stress management & positive coping mechanisms; Understands that the road to recovery & wellness is sometimes rocky and inconsistent, but here to talk it out and ride it through w/ anyone who needs.

Dylan: Senior Psychology and Lit Arts concentrator. My primary areas of focus as a PMHA are in Suicide Prevention, Crisis Intervention, + Positive Coping Skills. Diagnoses include Major Depressive Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I volunteer for Crisis Text Line and currently see a local CBT+ therapist. I believe in empathy, and I'm always here to listen. Reach out anytime.

Matt – Mood Disorders; Focus: Bipolar Disorder and coping with mania, depression, perfectionism, self-harm, trust issues, loneliness, and living without an official diagnosis. No one should have to suffer in silence, don’t be afraid to reach out!

Irene – sophomore studying English, Psychology, & pre-med. I experienced a Major Depressive Episode and suicidal ideation senior year of high school. Here to talk about dealing with stress on top of depression. Resources used: CBT, talk therapy, SSRIs, exercise, writing, friends.

Grant is a freshman at Brown who specializes in outside referrals. In his free time, he enjoys cycling as well as working on scientific research. • Focus: Depression, Outside Referrals, Cultural Differences • Resources Used: Exercise, breathing exercises, Stress management strategies

Paula - Eating Disorders; In high school, I experienced -undiagnosed- EDNOS for about 2 years. I focus on the stigma surrounding EDs, how to approach friends + family, life without medical diagnosis, intuitive eating, yoga, meditation, body acceptance, body positive language, etc. I'm open to discussing my personal story with recovery, + hope that I can help others with similar (or perhaps not so similar) experiences.

Dominique; Sophomore; CS; I’m pretty familiar with many facets of depression and anxiety, and possess a lot of knowledge regarding non-medicinal treatment and symptoms management. As a female PoC (Person of Color) concentrating in a hard STEM discipline, I’m also very well-versed in dealing with stigma, feelings of alienation, and the struggle of assimilating into a place like Brown.

Mariah - Anxiety Disorders (Focus: Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Depression, Self-harm, Eating Disorders, General Self-Esteem Issues)

Natalie - PTSD; Focus: PTSD, recovering from trauma, depressive responses to trauma, anxiety, stress management Resources used: therapy, yoga, writing, changing living location, research online and through memoirs/fiction/nonfiction, modifying academic workload, other coping mechanisms

Monica - OCD; (Focus: OCD, GAD, Dermatillomania, DBT, meditation, Support Groups, S.S.R.I's, CBT, Habit Reversal Therapy, coping mechanisms, yoga)

Elyse -- Class of 2020 -- Public Health -- Depression, General Anxiety Disorder (GAD), disordered eating, body dysmorphia, panic attacks, and PTSD. I am on the premed track and am passionate about bringing more empathy and compassion to the medical field. I am also very interested in exploring how visual and performing arts help to manage and alleviate mental illness. Feel free to reach out whenever.

Molly- Anxiety Disorders; Diagnoses: ADHD, depression, OCD Lived experience: misdiagnoses, med transitions and side effects, panic attacks, and self-harm.

Sophie -- Biology/English. Lived experience with: Depression, Eating Disorders (EDNOS), Abusive Relationships, Body Dysmorphia, Medication, LGBTQ. Focus: Stress management, Coping mechanisms, Body positivity, Exercise & Nutrition, Chronic pain management, LGBTQ advocacy.

Hello! My name is Nino, and I am a senior at Brown University studying Biology, with a focus in Biogeochemistry. While I have been dealing with mental illness all my life, the start of college coincided with a huge spike in my symptoms, and it took awhile for me to learn how to cope effectively. I still struggle every day, but I have built skills to reroute my thought patterns away from the destructive. For me, that’s what progress and recovery look like. It seems cliché, but I wish I knew four years ago that things were not supposed to go exactly as planned. Part of learning and growing is making mistakes, and knowing what you want often comes from learning what you don’t want. Having this sort of perspective can come from personal experience, but it can also come from the experiences of others. I hope to provide this perspective through my work with LET’S, and to help others find their own path to recovery. “When confronted with someone whose normal is not our normal, we are forced to confront the most frightening prospect of all: that there is no such thing as normal."

Paxon Chang; Eating Disorders and Mood Disorders; Experience: EDNOS, depression, self-harm, abusive/manipulative relationships, stress management, navigating diagnoses in POC communities; Resources: mindfulness, therapy, academic workload adjustment, positive coping mechanisms, managing slip-ups

Ryan - Neuroscience '17 - Experience With: Bipolar, Suicidal Ideation, Parental Substance Abuse, Gender Dysphoria, Queer PTSD - Especially willing to mentor those who are trans or gender-questioning but not a requirement.

Sarah: Depression + Anxiety; Focus: suicidal ideation, fear and isolation that comes with dealing with suicidal thoughts (from family, friends, admin), cultural stigma and the silence at home, coping undiagnosed without treatment, imposter syndrome, extreme guilt, social anxiety, poetry + writing, self-reflection + mindfulness, managing stress, relaxation techniques

Iris: Anxiety Disorders; Diagnoses: MDD + GAD; experience with Humanistic School psychotherapy as well as traditional psychiatry and SSRI’s. Focuses: anxiety management and stress relief techniques (breath exercises, coloring, visualization), mood regulation through yoga and physical exercise, understanding mental illness and recovery through creative writing, positive self-talk, self-care and self-kindness!

Lisa - '20 Computer Science - focus on depression, anxiety, suicide prevention, coping mechanisms, IOP, and stress management

Hey I'm Dharsan, a sophomore studying applied math-biology, and I have acute performance anxiety. I've had this issue since middle school and have only dealt with it my freshman year at Brown. I'm here to be an advocate for peers experiencing anxiety (related or not related to performing), peers of color, or queer peers.

Peter - Mood Disorders; Interested in animal-assisted therapies + comedy. Diagnosed with MDD + GAD. I've also battled suicidal thoughts, bouts of anger, and panic attacks. I am a Cuban-American (and speak Spanish fluently). I see a CBT therapist + the CAPS Psychiatrist - and have finally found the right combination of meds. College is hard and life is weird. I’m here to help!

Alena - Recovery & Wellness; Focus - recovery following sexual violence including from someone you know and still have to interact with, family struggles, LGBTQ

Lacy- Mood Disorders; Focus - Depression; Resources- mindfulness and breathing, extensive reading, exercising to lure those endorphins out, journalling, therapy, hugging friends, and finding something to laugh about. Wants anyone who finds themselves struggling to know that her door is always open.

Janice - Recovery + Wellness; Dual-Degree. Diagnosed with depression about two years ago after living with it for much longer. Focus: coping skills, day-to-day logistics in relation to mood disorders, and finding a therapist. I've experienced CAPS at both Brown and RISD, before transitioning to an external provider. I still experience some challenges in daily life, but they now feel much more manageable.

Yema - pre-med, Psychology, '19. Lived experience with panic attacks, anxiety, orthorexia, supporting suicidal and depressed friends, and neglectful and/or codependent/unhealthy relationships. Resources: blogging, self-care, mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation. Huge on self-advocacy and self-love and acceptance. Here to talk and navigate life with you, through the highs and the lows.

Daniel - Bipolar Disorder; (Focus: Depression/Bipolar Disorder, finding resources on campus, integrating physical exercise as a form of treatment and stability.

Antonija Kolobarić - Personality Disorders (BPD); Focus: Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder, Anxiety, International students & mental health; Mindfulness, Breathing Exercises, Workouts & Eating Habits, CBT, Self-care, Medication

Lindsay - Mood Disorders; Focus: Depression, suicide prevention, mental illness in the family, religion & spirituality/mental health, finances and access to mental healthcare

Dan - OCD; Focus: CBT, coping mechanisms, exposure therapy, school/grade-based anxiety and compulsions, meditation.

Sam Savello; Experienced with eating disorders / overexercising / food anxiety - can offer help staying on track in recovery, maintaining a healthy relationship with food and exercise, coping mechanisms, keeping a positive attitude; always here to help

Ethan - Anxiety Disorders; Diagnoses: Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Substance Use Disorder (Mild) Focus: Social Anxiety, Chronic Pain Management, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Yoga for Pain Relief

Rachel — Brown/Risd; bipolar disorder // mood disorders // depression & anxiety; Experience w/ misdiagnoses, finding a medicine (& going through wrong ones), seeking medical help (psychiatrists), seeing off-campus therapists & navigating mental health & family. Focus: coping with mood swings and anxiety in everyday life, self-acceptance and self-reliance, exploring mental health through art visualization & figuring out how to spend positive alone time.

Casey - Anxiety Disorders; Focus: Emotional abuse, Domestic violence Familial struggles (alcoholism, transgenerational trauma, PTSD, depression), LGBTQ, 1st gen Latina

What do PMHAs do?

Examples of PMHA Responsibilities:

• Create a personalized safety/relapse prevention plan
• Build a consistent, trusting partnership
• Send reminders about medication and appointments
• Help to identify individual strengths, and suggest appropriate coping mechanisms based on those strengths
• Connect peers to clinical care, alternative approaches to treatment, and various community resources
• Assist peers in their navigation of the healthcare system
• Answer questions about mental illness with information from relevant scientific sources (with the intention of reducing internalized stigma and associated judgement)
• Provide support in times of struggle and crisis
• Suggest realistic approaches to recovery management
• Acknowledge the impact that symptoms and ineffective treatment can have on peers’ personal relationships, and provide resources and connections to help lessen the severity of that impact
• Expose peers to methods of advocacy that consciously prioritize self/community-care

Our Core Values:
PMHAs are dedicated to:

• Affirming student individuality by helping peers to identify and attain their personal, self-determined treatment plan
• Supporting students’ adaptive management of their mental health, not just preventative treatment
• Providing peers with ample, accurate information about multiple relevant treatment methods
• Using a collaborative, community-based approach to treatment (as opposed to a more generic, prescriptive approach)
• Maintaining a reciprocal relationship with peers, while consciously striving to break down any potential power dynamics
• Reducing the harmful effects of emotions rooted in the internalization of stigma-- like guilt or self-doubt-- that may arise when students seek accommodations for mental health conditions
• Introducing and promoting the usage of many different coping mechanisms
• Establishing greater connectivity within the community of students who are living with mental illness

What kinds of lived experience do PMHAs have?
PMHAs have a wide diversity of lived experience: Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Eating Disorders, Personality Disorders, Suicide, General Mental Health, Recovery & Healing, Outside Referrals, Bipolar Disorder, Psychosis, Schizophrenia, and OCD. 

Outside of one-on-one counseling, what else do PMHAs do?
In addition, Peer Mental Health Advocates help create resources on their own area of lived experience, lead educational workshops, facilitate discussion groups, panels, etc. + are hold open hours or volunteer in the Nightly Room. 

All students are trained through Project LETS, Inc. Project LETS, Inc. is certifed by The Depression and Bipolar Alliance (http://www.dbsalliance.org/) + The International Association of Peer Specialists (http://inaops.org/). In addition, Project LETS, Inc. is a recognized organization in the Global Network of Peer Support Organization under Peers For Progress (http://peersforprogress.org/). Attached is a document called "Global Evidence for Peer Support: Humanizing Health Care.”