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

Episode 13: The Long Way to Help

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. 

Special Episode: An Update From Team Project Oyster

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.

Episode 12: Chanel Miller on Why You Deserve to be Cared

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/.

Episode 11: Dr.Sampathi Answers Your Questions

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. 

Episode 10: Fake it 'Til 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. 

Episode 9: Beyond the College Apps

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. 

Episode 8: Practice What You 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. 

Episode 7: The Healing Process

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. 

Episode 6: It Takes Time

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. 

Special Episode: Not All Heroes Wear Capes

In this episode, senior Joey Marcacci discusses a part of himself that takes courage to reveal to others. Joey dives into what it means to be both an athlete and... Joey.

Episode 5: Part of Me

Rina Newhouse, a senior at Gunn, shows what exists beyond her bubbly personality- struggles she has hidden from others until now. Rina knows what it means to seek discomfort and find a way to be candid about the obstacles she’s faced.

Episode 4: To Seek Discomfort

Senior Jimmy Farley is one of the most beloved students at Gunn High School; as a self-proclaimed "class-clown," Jimmy's signature humor is known for brightening everyone's day. But there's a side to Jimmy that isn't always obvious at first glance. In this episode, we discover what it means to be the class clown with the biggest heart. 

Episode 3: Class Clown with the Biggest Heart

There has been a revolution at Gunn High School. A new Facebook page, Gunn Confessions, has given power to students to say what they want in anonymity. The result? Hilarious confessions, secret messages to crushes, and even calls for help in dealing with mental health. Hosts Sophia and Hanna read what the admin of Gunn Confessions has to say about what they feel about this new phenomenon they started; of course, the admin remain a secret. 

Episode 2: The Gunn Confessions Revolution

Welcome to the first official episode of Project Oyster! In this episode, we have guest speaker Meghna Singh talk about her desire for control as a child and how that later evolved to a struggle with depression- which she overcame.  

Episode 1: The Thirst for Control

Welcome to Project Oyster! Relatable stories that form emotional connections. Our goal is to destigmatize mental health through the power of storytelling. Join producers Hanna Suh, Sophia Lu and Vardaan Shah as they interview those who are willing to share their mental health journeys in order to help others.

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Project Oyster

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