October 7, 2025 • 22 mins
This season, we’re excited to bring you something brand new for TBGU. I’m so thrilled to introduce you to the inaugural TBGU Advisory Council. You’ll get to meet Jya, Fatima, and Mikayla, three brilliant young people who will be helping us shape the TBGU experience this year. We’ll hear about what excites them, the topics they’re passionate about, and how they hope to build meaningful conversations that resonate across the season.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
Hey, y'all, thanks so much for joining me for the
special TVGU episode of Therapy for Black Girls. We'll get
right into our conversation after word from our sponsors. This season,
we're excited to bring you something brand new for TVGU.
(00:28):
I'm thrilled to introduce you to our inaugural TBGU advisory Council.
You'll get to meet Jaya, Fatima and Mikaela, three brilliant
young people who will be helping us shape the TVGU
experience this year. We'll hear about what excites them, the
topics they're passionate about, and how they hope to build
meaningful conversations that resonate across the season. If something resonates
(00:51):
with you while enjoying our conversation, please share it with
us on social media using the hashtag TVG in session,
or join us over in our patreon To talk more
about the episode, you can join us at community dot
Therapy for Blackgirls dot com. Here's our conversation. Well, welcome
to Therapy for Black Girls University. I am very excited
(01:14):
because today we are joined by our inaugural TVGU advisory councils,
some incredible students. I'm just very excited for you all
to tell us more about who you are and your
interests in this area. So we'll start with you, Fatima.
Can you tell us where you are and what your name,
what you're majoring in, and a little bit about what
(01:35):
interests you in TVGU.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
So Hi, my name is Fatima Zara Kasim. I'm a
senior and I attend Tufts University and I study political
science with a double minor economics and urban planning. All throughout,
like grade school, middle school, high school, and even college,
I've always been involved in like women's groups that are
(01:57):
focused on empowerment, and a lot of this is done
through like what's happening in my community. So what really
interested me about this opportunity is that it's not just
impacting the girls on my campus or my classes, it's
also impacting people from all over because I can reach
a much wider audience with.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
This perfect Thank you, Fatima Jaya.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
I at the end Albany State in a Gray City.
I am sophomore there studying health science. What interested me
about TBGU is I always listen to the Therapy for
Black Girls podcast, and it wasn't until I was listening
to the podcast that I feel understood about certain topics
and the way the conversations flow and go. It was
(02:43):
just like, okay, I can relate to this or speaking
my language, and I personally love that it's specifically for
black women.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
Thank you, Jaya and Mikaila.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
He y'all saw.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
My name is Mikayla and I recently graduated from Dola
University and I studied film, and why I was interested
in this amazing opportunity was just everything that I do
creatively boots from my community and also providing therapy and
healthcare U seeing the stigmas that are in our community.
(03:15):
And so by joining this opportunity, it allows me to
not only learn but share what I learned. It is
to be bout information to them an organization that already
does that in which I adore, And so it's just amazing.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Thank you Michaela, and we'll stay with you. Michaela. What
are some things that you are interested in outside of
academic stuff?
Speaker 3 (03:35):
Cool? Thank you?
Speaker 4 (03:36):
So outside of academic stuff, very artsyed have loved everything
creative and academic, like I mean, outside academic books and
movies and just having fun in.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
That type of way.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
What about you, Jaya?
Speaker 3 (03:50):
Yeah, So similar to Mikayla. I love to read. I am.
I love books. I'm also the last technician, so I
love the marketing aspect of that. And very recently I've
started getting into the gardening side of life. So I
just bought me a snake plant and I have this
one plant where it's a mix up a bunch of
different ones. But I've been enjoying that recently.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
What about you, Betima, what are you interested in outside
of school?
Speaker 5 (04:16):
So? Outside of school, I really love fitness.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
So I love going to the gym. I just want
this morning.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
I also love like trying new workout classes with my friends,
like arial yoga.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
I'm also a big reader like Mikayla and Jaya.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
My favorite author her name is ayobami Adebayo am Naji,
an author and the book I'm currently reading by her
is called A Spell of Good Things. And overall, I
just love enjoying time with my friends, just trying new things.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
And are you currently reading anything right now?
Speaker 4 (04:47):
Mikayla, who I am rereading Crabwokasar by Ukrania Butler, one
of my favorites in assessment to the terms.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Mm hmmm, feels very timely. Yeah. What are some of you.
Our biggest interest in mental health right now, either like
research topics, something that you're personally curious about, maybe a
conversation that has come up in a friend group, anything
kind of on your mind right now as it relates
to mental health.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
Yeah, So as someone who researches how information is given
to the masses, one thing that I've recently seen is
this kind of monetization or products building around mental health.
And it's really interesting to see the tension between you know,
having social media representation and tips and things like that
(05:36):
that I find extremely helpful, but then there's a thin
line between Okay, this was supposed to help me or
is it supposed to influence me? And so this is
one thing that I've been studying and researching as we
consume media and then also take care of ourselves and
figuring out the non one size fits all way to
take care.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Of ourselves, especially in the black community. So it's just
something that's been on my mind.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
That's a good one. What about you, Fatima, Anything in
particular for me?
Speaker 2 (06:06):
I would say, I guess like research more so specifically
on the topic of functioning depression. So like being on
a college campus, it's really interesting to see how a
lot of people hold on to stress and anxiety, especially
being in like very high stakes environments. And something that
I realize a lot, especially in like black women on
(06:27):
my campus, is that a lot of people are holding
onto a lot of these feelings and issues but are
still very high functioning, always feeling like they need to
show up to things and you know, carry out their
duties and classes, but aren't really taking care of themselves.
But from the outside, it's hard to see that they're
going through these things because they're so high functioning. So
that's something that's really been interesting to me.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
What about your diet with on your mind? In terms
of mental health stuff.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
For me, it's more of a research aspect. It's really
reproductive health with women as far as contraceptives, birth control
pcos and how that affects us because with pcos and
birth control like effects, they aren't really researched enough and
(07:12):
they aren't talking a lot enough. So with pcos, you
go into the doctor and most of the times they
just put you strictly on birth control, but no one
talks about how birth control can affect your weight, can
affect your mental health, make you have moved swings and
things of that nature.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Yeah, and before we started the call, we were talking
about several of you are experiencing, like going into midterms
right now. So what are you feeling like the stress
level is like on campus as you're entering midterm week.
Speaker 3 (07:41):
I feel like the stress levels are very high. I
can speak for myself. With being a student athlete and
also being a part of your ownage program, It's a
lot of pressure on me because I'm supposed to make
good grades and keep my GPA up. So with midterms,
it's just non stop being in the library always, you
never really having time for myself.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
Really does it feel that way to you too, Fatima, Yes.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
I would agree, I would say, especially speaking from the
point of view as senior, I think it's really really
high stakes for a lot of us because at the
point we're at in our academic journey, it's no longer
just hell, maybe I'll just take this class again next semester,
or I can put it off.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
It's like all or nothing. So like, yeah, just very
very stressful.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
A lot of late night studying this morning, I just
booked the study room for tonight.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
So yeah, just feeling the pressure right now.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
More from our conversation after the break. So, Michaiela, what
are some of the conversations you really hope we will
tackle as a council this year From TVGU One of.
Speaker 4 (08:53):
The things that I hope that we tackle is just
the multiple kind of experiences that black girls may have
while in college and outside of college as well. Like
I know, especially now for gen Z, post grad depression
and things like that are real, and I know it
(09:13):
affects us and rectifizes how we do things differently, And
so I hope that we can talk about how we
deal with stress and brief and lots of conflicting things
in college but also outside of it, because it really
is a journey.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
You bring up an interesting point, I think, you know,
because where we find ourselves in time in the world
right now, we know unemployment rates are really high, and
thinking about you for Tima, you know, as a senior,
and thinking about like, okay, am I doing grad school
next year? Are you looking for your first big girl job?
Like I think there's a lot on the line and
a lot that feels unsure that maybe wasn't the case
maybe five to ten years ago, which I am sure
(09:50):
is something that you know many of you are thinking about.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
Yes, oh for sure, for sure those are things that
are I hope we definitely can.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Can you know, talk about.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
Yeah, what about you, Jia, anything that you really feel
like you would love for the council to address this year.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
Yes, So going back to the reproductive health part, I
would love to talk about pcos and birth control, contraceptors
and things of that sort. But also with me being
a sophomore, I feel like I'm still in that exploration
phase of college, So I would love to talk about
your sexuality and exploring your sexuality in college, that's.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
A good one, and thinking about contraception and like how
much legislation that is trying to be pushed right now,
right to even make contraception you know, like it's still
easy to get and you know, do you have to
jump through several hoops? So I definitely think that's an
important one to tackle. Yes, what about you, Fatima.
Speaker 2 (10:44):
For being I would love for us to discuss how
we curate spaces for black women because we always talk
about wanting to understand the mental health of black women,
shining light on the issues black women are dealing with.
And when I say curating species, I mean more.
Speaker 3 (10:59):
So within the youth.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
How can we make black women feel safe to enter
these spaces and truly express themselves Because something that I
mentioned earlier about the functioning depression, I feel like what
plays a lot into that is the feeling of I
don't feel safe to be able to talk to someone
or express these feelings.
Speaker 3 (11:18):
So how can we cerate that space for young black women?
Speaker 1 (11:22):
You know, you bring up an interesting point because I
feel like I see like students and people your age
talk a lot more about mental health, you know, like
they will be on Instagram or TikTok saying like, oh
this is something my therapist told me. But it sounds
like you are also still feeling like there is a
lack of conversation from your peers maybe about how they
(11:44):
actually are doing. Yes, okay, So are there any gaps
that you're noticing in terms of mental health services, either
on your campuses or just resources for people your age
to get support with your mental health.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
So for me, Tufts does have mental health center where
you can match with a therapist, and that has been
really great. But one gap that I did.
Speaker 3 (12:07):
Notice because I did use your services about two years ago.
One gap that I did notice or do notice still
is just follow ups. There really isn't much follow ups.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
You have like a set amount of time with your
provided mental health specialist, but that's just about it. After
the four six weeks that you guys spend together, there
are no follow up emails of like.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
Oh, how can the school further support you?
Speaker 2 (12:32):
And I think obviously, like a university has so many
students that it has to service, so I can see
what could be the cause of that gap.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
But long term, like something that.
Speaker 2 (12:43):
A lot of students here do express is that like, oh,
we don't really use the center much because we feel
like it's not really helpful. So it's like, yeah, you
are getting the care, you're getting someone to speak to
you for that a lot of time that you have
your therapist, but like it's like the what's next, There
is no next, So yeah, I just like the follow
up care.
Speaker 3 (13:01):
I don't think we have much of that.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
How about you?
Speaker 3 (13:04):
Giant On my campus, I feel like they're pretty good
with the mental health aspect that we have free therapy
online or in person. They also have an organization called
Active Mines and every week on Wednesday they're in the
student center with their table set up giving out free plans.
They had something last week where they were doing rocks
and releasing things, so I feel like that's really good.
(13:26):
The gap I am noticing, though, is that Albany State
is really considered a party school, So a lot of
students don't know necessarily where to go if they aren't
going to the student center or they aren't on the
ac website page. So I feel like that I wouldn't
say excitement, but for lack of a better word, I'm
going to say that like the excitement to go to
(13:48):
therapy and to get the help you need.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
And I know you've graduated, Mikiela, but thinking it back
to your time on campus where there are gaps that
you noticed the like definitely.
Speaker 4 (14:01):
Going back to what I said, I think the like
coming from an HBCU, Like the kind of collective want,
our will to get from these resources I think wasn't
really there.
Speaker 3 (14:14):
That was kind of like gap.
Speaker 4 (14:16):
And we did have resources, like to the best of
you know, the university's abilities, like they did events where
they like gave us essentral oils or did things like that,
just small things, but I found that they didn't really
have a lot of student attendance, and that was the
only gap that I recognize, And yeah, I really wish
(14:37):
that there was more of a collective of like, hey,
you know, let's go out and do this, you know,
make us central oils or whatever type of resources that
they had on campus, but there wasn't really that will
and I think that kind of reflects some of the
stigma in our community.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
More from our conversation after the break, so a couple
of you have mentioned events, which I think is really cool,
and that is definitely something we're thinking about, like, Okay,
how do we let more students know about TVGU and
like the kinds of conversations we're having and the resources
(15:16):
that might be available. So if you could like develop
your own dream event to happen on your campus or
a campus near you, what do you think it would
look like? Any thoughts?
Speaker 4 (15:27):
Mikaela Ooh, okay, I definitely thought about this so many times.
So what I would do would basically be something like
art therapy focused I love, just like there was this
free black art therapy resourcer I went to New Orleans
and it just opened my mind. So I'll basically use
(15:49):
the same model as a way for students to just
reflect open up ormachine what a safe space would be
using pay our colors. They don't have to be a creative,
but we all know how to. So she had colors,
you know what, feelings and things like that, and so
just finding that medium and then also make it into
something that people can maybe share, and I think that
(16:10):
will just be wonderful to have so people can process
things differently than they used to.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
So I'm hearing maybe a tvgu coloring night at campuses
across the country, and of course what about you.
Speaker 3 (16:23):
Jan Yeah, So with one of my past internships, I
actually wrote about this and I was thinking more of
a panel type of brunch thing. And one good panelist
I had them there was actually you doctor Dremy to
come in and talk to the students about mental health
and get other mental health professionals in there to talk
to the students, mainly women, so that the young women
(16:47):
coming out to the campus, mainly the freshman and the sophomores,
could get that women we advice something that they may
not have at home, as far as how to dress
yourself when you're coming out, how to hold yourself up
to a higher standard, how to speak and what to
win or you know what I'm saying, so, yeah, really
that in the brunch aspect, just because you know, people
love to eat, So yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
Yeah, I think that's the key to anything with students
is that there has to be food.
Speaker 5 (17:13):
What about you with Vima, I am envisioned for Therapy
for Black grows to have like a campus tour, so
kind of like a live podcast where it's not necessarily
being recorded, but it's being like a curated space.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
Like this, but like on a wider scale.
Speaker 2 (17:30):
So I know, at Tufts we have a group called
the Black Women's Collective where every week there are topics
that are being had, like topics that are spoken about,
like different problems the black women are facing on campus
or just like wider scale issues. So I think it'd
be really great if, like, let's say, Therapy for Black
Girls was able to collab or like join forces with
(17:51):
a group like Black Women's.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
Collective at touughs to have like a wider forum.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
And yeah, okay, these all sound like great ideas, So
somebody has to write us some checks so that we
can bring all of these incredible ideas to life. I
love the creativity that I'm already hearing. Okay, So a
couple of quick questions just so that people can get
to know you all a little better. This is gonna
be kind of rapid fire. So coffee tea are neither
when you're studying late MICHAELA.
Speaker 4 (18:17):
Ooh, coffee. I'm from Seattle, so gotta have coffee.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
Okay, Jaya, what's one song that always boosts your mood?
Speaker 3 (18:28):
I don't know artists, but it's called I'm not Stressing Today.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
Oh, it's a good one. I don't know the artist
side of it, but I know what's talking about. Fatimo.
What's your favorite campus hangout spot?
Speaker 2 (18:39):
Ooh, is it bad if I seen my room?
Speaker 1 (18:42):
Not at all? Okay, Mikayela, Journaling, therapy, meditation or music?
Which one helps you to distress the most? Boo?
Speaker 3 (18:54):
I would have to say music.
Speaker 4 (18:55):
I have to say jazz, piritual, jazz, al was culturane.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
Yeah, good answer, Fatima. What's a TV show or movie
that you think actually got college life right?
Speaker 2 (19:10):
I would say All American in a lot of its aspects.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Maybe not all, but yeah, okay, one of my favorite shows. Jaya.
What's the first word that comes to mind when you
think of tbgu healing? I love it? MICHAELA, what's a
piece of advice you'd give to a freshman just starting college.
Speaker 3 (19:32):
A piece of.
Speaker 4 (19:32):
Advice i'd give freshman is a lot of people say
it might be cliche, but just be yourself, Like, walk
into this new space and this next like face in
your life as yourself. You know you're somewhat free from
a lot of the pressures you may have had going
up or you know in your high school or things
are not short. So just walk into this next chapter,
(19:54):
be yourself. It's your own style and whatnot and.
Speaker 1 (19:57):
No be okay. And then one question for all of you.
Fatima will start with you. If your college experience had
a theme song? What would it be?
Speaker 2 (20:06):
I don't know if there's a song that's called this,
but maybe trying.
Speaker 1 (20:13):
Trying Yeah, if not, we just came up with it right,
like it's a song. Now, yes, Gian, what wut the
theme song for your college experience?
Speaker 3 (20:23):
I actually know the artists to based one, so it
would be self cared by Savannah Christina and MICHAELA.
Speaker 1 (20:30):
What would your college experience things on be?
Speaker 3 (20:32):
Ooh, that is a good question.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
I think the song Heavenly by this artist.
Speaker 3 (20:37):
Here based out of Chicago. It's like a really good.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
Song Okay, all right, Fatima, Okay.
Speaker 3 (20:42):
I got a good one now.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Actually, I would say all for me by Marida Scientists.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
Excellent, excellent. Well, this has been so much fun to
get to know y'all a little bit more. I'm very
excited about all the conversations and things that are going
to unfold this year. Thank y'all so much for joining
me for this first episode, and we are looking forward
to lots more fun.
Speaker 3 (21:03):
Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
I'm so glad and excited that Jaya, Fatima and Mikhaela
were able to join me for today's conversation and give
us a glimpse into their vision for TVGU this season.
To learn more about Therapy for Black Girls University and
how you can become a part of the community, head
on over to Therapy for Blackgirls dot com slash TVGU
Did you know that you could leave us a voicemail
(21:27):
with your questions or suggestions for the podcast If you
have topics you'd like us to discuss our guests you'd
like to hear, drop us a message at Memo FM
slash Therapy for Black Girls and let us know what's
on your mind. We just might feature it on the podcast.
If you're looking for a therapist in your area, visit
our therapist directory at Therapy for Blackgirls dot com slash directory.
(21:49):
Don't forget to follow us on Instagram at Therapy for
Black Girls and join us over in our Patreon community
for more exclusive updates and behind the scenes content. You
can join us at community dot Therapy for Black Girls
dot com. This episode was produced by Alise Ellis, Indechubu
and Tyree Rush. Editing was done by Dennison Bradbert. Thank
y'all so much for joining me again this week. I
(22:10):
look forward to continuing this conversation with you all real soon.
Take good care,
Hey, y'all, thanks so much for joining me for the
special TVGU episode of Therapy for Black Girls. We'll get
right into our conversation after word from our sponsors. This season,
we're excited to bring you something brand new for TVGU.
(00:28):
I'm thrilled to introduce you to our inaugural TBGU advisory Council.
You'll get to meet Jaya, Fatima and Mikaela, three brilliant
young people who will be helping us shape the TVGU
experience this year. We'll hear about what excites them, the
topics they're passionate about, and how they hope to build
meaningful conversations that resonate across the season. If something resonates
(00:51):
with you while enjoying our conversation, please share it with
us on social media using the hashtag TVG in session,
or join us over in our patreon To talk more
about the episode, you can join us at community dot
Therapy for Blackgirls dot com. Here's our conversation. Well, welcome
to Therapy for Black Girls University. I am very excited
(01:14):
because today we are joined by our inaugural TVGU advisory councils,
some incredible students. I'm just very excited for you all
to tell us more about who you are and your
interests in this area. So we'll start with you, Fatima.
Can you tell us where you are and what your name,
what you're majoring in, and a little bit about what
(01:35):
interests you in TVGU.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
So Hi, my name is Fatima Zara Kasim. I'm a
senior and I attend Tufts University and I study political
science with a double minor economics and urban planning. All throughout,
like grade school, middle school, high school, and even college,
I've always been involved in like women's groups that are
(01:57):
focused on empowerment, and a lot of this is done
through like what's happening in my community. So what really
interested me about this opportunity is that it's not just
impacting the girls on my campus or my classes, it's
also impacting people from all over because I can reach
a much wider audience with.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
This perfect Thank you, Fatima Jaya.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
I at the end Albany State in a Gray City.
I am sophomore there studying health science. What interested me
about TBGU is I always listen to the Therapy for
Black Girls podcast, and it wasn't until I was listening
to the podcast that I feel understood about certain topics
and the way the conversations flow and go. It was
(02:43):
just like, okay, I can relate to this or speaking
my language, and I personally love that it's specifically for
black women.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
Thank you, Jaya and Mikaila.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
He y'all saw.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
My name is Mikayla and I recently graduated from Dola
University and I studied film, and why I was interested
in this amazing opportunity was just everything that I do
creatively boots from my community and also providing therapy and
healthcare U seeing the stigmas that are in our community.
(03:15):
And so by joining this opportunity, it allows me to
not only learn but share what I learned. It is
to be bout information to them an organization that already
does that in which I adore, And so it's just amazing.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Thank you Michaela, and we'll stay with you. Michaela. What
are some things that you are interested in outside of
academic stuff?
Speaker 3 (03:35):
Cool? Thank you?
Speaker 4 (03:36):
So outside of academic stuff, very artsyed have loved everything
creative and academic, like I mean, outside academic books and
movies and just having fun in.
Speaker 3 (03:47):
That type of way.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
What about you, Jaya?
Speaker 3 (03:50):
Yeah, So similar to Mikayla. I love to read. I am.
I love books. I'm also the last technician, so I
love the marketing aspect of that. And very recently I've
started getting into the gardening side of life. So I
just bought me a snake plant and I have this
one plant where it's a mix up a bunch of
different ones. But I've been enjoying that recently.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
What about you, Betima, what are you interested in outside
of school?
Speaker 5 (04:16):
So? Outside of school, I really love fitness.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
So I love going to the gym. I just want
this morning.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
I also love like trying new workout classes with my friends,
like arial yoga.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
I'm also a big reader like Mikayla and Jaya.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
My favorite author her name is ayobami Adebayo am Naji,
an author and the book I'm currently reading by her
is called A Spell of Good Things. And overall, I
just love enjoying time with my friends, just trying new things.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
And are you currently reading anything right now?
Speaker 4 (04:47):
Mikayla, who I am rereading Crabwokasar by Ukrania Butler, one
of my favorites in assessment to the terms.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Mm hmmm, feels very timely. Yeah. What are some of you.
Our biggest interest in mental health right now, either like
research topics, something that you're personally curious about, maybe a
conversation that has come up in a friend group, anything
kind of on your mind right now as it relates
to mental health.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
Yeah, So as someone who researches how information is given
to the masses, one thing that I've recently seen is
this kind of monetization or products building around mental health.
And it's really interesting to see the tension between you know,
having social media representation and tips and things like that
(05:36):
that I find extremely helpful, but then there's a thin
line between Okay, this was supposed to help me or
is it supposed to influence me? And so this is
one thing that I've been studying and researching as we
consume media and then also take care of ourselves and
figuring out the non one size fits all way to
take care.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Of ourselves, especially in the black community. So it's just
something that's been on my mind.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
That's a good one. What about you, Fatima, Anything in
particular for me?
Speaker 2 (06:06):
I would say, I guess like research more so specifically
on the topic of functioning depression. So like being on
a college campus, it's really interesting to see how a
lot of people hold on to stress and anxiety, especially
being in like very high stakes environments. And something that
I realize a lot, especially in like black women on
(06:27):
my campus, is that a lot of people are holding
onto a lot of these feelings and issues but are
still very high functioning, always feeling like they need to
show up to things and you know, carry out their
duties and classes, but aren't really taking care of themselves.
But from the outside, it's hard to see that they're
going through these things because they're so high functioning. So
that's something that's really been interesting to me.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
What about your diet with on your mind? In terms
of mental health stuff.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
For me, it's more of a research aspect. It's really
reproductive health with women as far as contraceptives, birth control
pcos and how that affects us because with pcos and
birth control like effects, they aren't really researched enough and
(07:12):
they aren't talking a lot enough. So with pcos, you
go into the doctor and most of the times they
just put you strictly on birth control, but no one
talks about how birth control can affect your weight, can
affect your mental health, make you have moved swings and
things of that nature.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Yeah, and before we started the call, we were talking
about several of you are experiencing, like going into midterms
right now. So what are you feeling like the stress
level is like on campus as you're entering midterm week.
Speaker 3 (07:41):
I feel like the stress levels are very high. I
can speak for myself. With being a student athlete and
also being a part of your ownage program, It's a
lot of pressure on me because I'm supposed to make
good grades and keep my GPA up. So with midterms,
it's just non stop being in the library always, you
never really having time for myself.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
Really does it feel that way to you too, Fatima, Yes.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
I would agree, I would say, especially speaking from the
point of view as senior, I think it's really really
high stakes for a lot of us because at the
point we're at in our academic journey, it's no longer
just hell, maybe I'll just take this class again next semester,
or I can put it off.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
It's like all or nothing. So like, yeah, just very
very stressful.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
A lot of late night studying this morning, I just
booked the study room for tonight.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
So yeah, just feeling the pressure right now.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
More from our conversation after the break. So, Michaiela, what
are some of the conversations you really hope we will
tackle as a council this year From TVGU One of.
Speaker 4 (08:53):
The things that I hope that we tackle is just
the multiple kind of experiences that black girls may have
while in college and outside of college as well. Like
I know, especially now for gen Z, post grad depression
and things like that are real, and I know it
(09:13):
affects us and rectifizes how we do things differently, And
so I hope that we can talk about how we
deal with stress and brief and lots of conflicting things
in college but also outside of it, because it really
is a journey.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
You bring up an interesting point, I think, you know,
because where we find ourselves in time in the world
right now, we know unemployment rates are really high, and
thinking about you for Tima, you know, as a senior,
and thinking about like, okay, am I doing grad school
next year? Are you looking for your first big girl job?
Like I think there's a lot on the line and
a lot that feels unsure that maybe wasn't the case
maybe five to ten years ago, which I am sure
(09:50):
is something that you know many of you are thinking about.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
Yes, oh for sure, for sure those are things that
are I hope we definitely can.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Can you know, talk about.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
Yeah, what about you, Jia, anything that you really feel
like you would love for the council to address this year.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
Yes, So going back to the reproductive health part, I
would love to talk about pcos and birth control, contraceptors
and things of that sort. But also with me being
a sophomore, I feel like I'm still in that exploration
phase of college, So I would love to talk about
your sexuality and exploring your sexuality in college, that's.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
A good one, and thinking about contraception and like how
much legislation that is trying to be pushed right now,
right to even make contraception you know, like it's still
easy to get and you know, do you have to
jump through several hoops? So I definitely think that's an
important one to tackle. Yes, what about you, Fatima.
Speaker 2 (10:44):
For being I would love for us to discuss how
we curate spaces for black women because we always talk
about wanting to understand the mental health of black women,
shining light on the issues black women are dealing with.
And when I say curating species, I mean more.
Speaker 3 (10:59):
So within the youth.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
How can we make black women feel safe to enter
these spaces and truly express themselves Because something that I
mentioned earlier about the functioning depression, I feel like what
plays a lot into that is the feeling of I
don't feel safe to be able to talk to someone
or express these feelings.
Speaker 3 (11:18):
So how can we cerate that space for young black women?
Speaker 1 (11:22):
You know, you bring up an interesting point because I
feel like I see like students and people your age
talk a lot more about mental health, you know, like
they will be on Instagram or TikTok saying like, oh
this is something my therapist told me. But it sounds
like you are also still feeling like there is a
lack of conversation from your peers maybe about how they
(11:44):
actually are doing. Yes, okay, So are there any gaps
that you're noticing in terms of mental health services, either
on your campuses or just resources for people your age
to get support with your mental health.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
So for me, Tufts does have mental health center where
you can match with a therapist, and that has been
really great. But one gap that I did.
Speaker 3 (12:07):
Notice because I did use your services about two years ago.
One gap that I did notice or do notice still
is just follow ups. There really isn't much follow ups.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
You have like a set amount of time with your
provided mental health specialist, but that's just about it. After
the four six weeks that you guys spend together, there
are no follow up emails of like.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
Oh, how can the school further support you?
Speaker 2 (12:32):
And I think obviously, like a university has so many
students that it has to service, so I can see
what could be the cause of that gap.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
But long term, like something that.
Speaker 2 (12:43):
A lot of students here do express is that like, oh,
we don't really use the center much because we feel
like it's not really helpful. So it's like, yeah, you
are getting the care, you're getting someone to speak to
you for that a lot of time that you have
your therapist, but like it's like the what's next, There
is no next, So yeah, I just like the follow
up care.
Speaker 3 (13:01):
I don't think we have much of that.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
How about you?
Speaker 3 (13:04):
Giant On my campus, I feel like they're pretty good
with the mental health aspect that we have free therapy
online or in person. They also have an organization called
Active Mines and every week on Wednesday they're in the
student center with their table set up giving out free plans.
They had something last week where they were doing rocks
and releasing things, so I feel like that's really good.
(13:26):
The gap I am noticing, though, is that Albany State
is really considered a party school, So a lot of
students don't know necessarily where to go if they aren't
going to the student center or they aren't on the
ac website page. So I feel like that I wouldn't
say excitement, but for lack of a better word, I'm
going to say that like the excitement to go to
(13:48):
therapy and to get the help you need.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
And I know you've graduated, Mikiela, but thinking it back
to your time on campus where there are gaps that
you noticed the like definitely.
Speaker 4 (14:01):
Going back to what I said, I think the like
coming from an HBCU, Like the kind of collective want,
our will to get from these resources I think wasn't
really there.
Speaker 3 (14:14):
That was kind of like gap.
Speaker 4 (14:16):
And we did have resources, like to the best of
you know, the university's abilities, like they did events where
they like gave us essentral oils or did things like that,
just small things, but I found that they didn't really
have a lot of student attendance, and that was the
only gap that I recognize, And yeah, I really wish
(14:37):
that there was more of a collective of like, hey,
you know, let's go out and do this, you know,
make us central oils or whatever type of resources that
they had on campus, but there wasn't really that will
and I think that kind of reflects some of the
stigma in our community.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
More from our conversation after the break, so a couple
of you have mentioned events, which I think is really cool,
and that is definitely something we're thinking about, like, Okay,
how do we let more students know about TVGU and
like the kinds of conversations we're having and the resources
(15:16):
that might be available. So if you could like develop
your own dream event to happen on your campus or
a campus near you, what do you think it would
look like? Any thoughts?
Speaker 4 (15:27):
Mikaela Ooh, okay, I definitely thought about this so many times.
So what I would do would basically be something like
art therapy focused I love, just like there was this
free black art therapy resourcer I went to New Orleans
and it just opened my mind. So I'll basically use
(15:49):
the same model as a way for students to just
reflect open up ormachine what a safe space would be
using pay our colors. They don't have to be a creative,
but we all know how to. So she had colors,
you know what, feelings and things like that, and so
just finding that medium and then also make it into
something that people can maybe share, and I think that
(16:10):
will just be wonderful to have so people can process
things differently than they used to.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
So I'm hearing maybe a tvgu coloring night at campuses
across the country, and of course what about you.
Speaker 3 (16:23):
Jan Yeah, So with one of my past internships, I
actually wrote about this and I was thinking more of
a panel type of brunch thing. And one good panelist
I had them there was actually you doctor Dremy to
come in and talk to the students about mental health
and get other mental health professionals in there to talk
to the students, mainly women, so that the young women
(16:47):
coming out to the campus, mainly the freshman and the sophomores,
could get that women we advice something that they may
not have at home, as far as how to dress
yourself when you're coming out, how to hold yourself up
to a higher standard, how to speak and what to
win or you know what I'm saying, so, yeah, really
that in the brunch aspect, just because you know, people
love to eat, So yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
Yeah, I think that's the key to anything with students
is that there has to be food.
Speaker 5 (17:13):
What about you with Vima, I am envisioned for Therapy
for Black grows to have like a campus tour, so
kind of like a live podcast where it's not necessarily
being recorded, but it's being like a curated space.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
Like this, but like on a wider scale.
Speaker 2 (17:30):
So I know, at Tufts we have a group called
the Black Women's Collective where every week there are topics
that are being had, like topics that are spoken about,
like different problems the black women are facing on campus
or just like wider scale issues. So I think it'd
be really great if, like, let's say, Therapy for Black
Girls was able to collab or like join forces with
(17:51):
a group like Black Women's.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
Collective at touughs to have like a wider forum.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
And yeah, okay, these all sound like great ideas, So
somebody has to write us some checks so that we
can bring all of these incredible ideas to life. I
love the creativity that I'm already hearing. Okay, So a
couple of quick questions just so that people can get
to know you all a little better. This is gonna
be kind of rapid fire. So coffee tea are neither
when you're studying late MICHAELA.
Speaker 4 (18:17):
Ooh, coffee. I'm from Seattle, so gotta have coffee.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
Okay, Jaya, what's one song that always boosts your mood?
Speaker 3 (18:28):
I don't know artists, but it's called I'm not Stressing Today.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
Oh, it's a good one. I don't know the artist
side of it, but I know what's talking about. Fatimo.
What's your favorite campus hangout spot?
Speaker 2 (18:39):
Ooh, is it bad if I seen my room?
Speaker 1 (18:42):
Not at all? Okay, Mikayela, Journaling, therapy, meditation or music?
Which one helps you to distress the most? Boo?
Speaker 3 (18:54):
I would have to say music.
Speaker 4 (18:55):
I have to say jazz, piritual, jazz, al was culturane.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
Yeah, good answer, Fatima. What's a TV show or movie
that you think actually got college life right?
Speaker 2 (19:10):
I would say All American in a lot of its aspects.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Maybe not all, but yeah, okay, one of my favorite shows. Jaya.
What's the first word that comes to mind when you
think of tbgu healing? I love it? MICHAELA, what's a
piece of advice you'd give to a freshman just starting college.
Speaker 3 (19:32):
A piece of.
Speaker 4 (19:32):
Advice i'd give freshman is a lot of people say
it might be cliche, but just be yourself, Like, walk
into this new space and this next like face in
your life as yourself. You know you're somewhat free from
a lot of the pressures you may have had going
up or you know in your high school or things
are not short. So just walk into this next chapter,
(19:54):
be yourself. It's your own style and whatnot and.
Speaker 1 (19:57):
No be okay. And then one question for all of you.
Fatima will start with you. If your college experience had
a theme song? What would it be?
Speaker 2 (20:06):
I don't know if there's a song that's called this,
but maybe trying.
Speaker 1 (20:13):
Trying Yeah, if not, we just came up with it right,
like it's a song. Now, yes, Gian, what wut the
theme song for your college experience?
Speaker 3 (20:23):
I actually know the artists to based one, so it
would be self cared by Savannah Christina and MICHAELA.
Speaker 1 (20:30):
What would your college experience things on be?
Speaker 3 (20:32):
Ooh, that is a good question.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
I think the song Heavenly by this artist.
Speaker 3 (20:37):
Here based out of Chicago. It's like a really good.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
Song Okay, all right, Fatima, Okay.
Speaker 3 (20:42):
I got a good one now.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Actually, I would say all for me by Marida Scientists.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
Excellent, excellent. Well, this has been so much fun to
get to know y'all a little bit more. I'm very
excited about all the conversations and things that are going
to unfold this year. Thank y'all so much for joining
me for this first episode, and we are looking forward
to lots more fun.
Speaker 3 (21:03):
Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
I'm so glad and excited that Jaya, Fatima and Mikhaela
were able to join me for today's conversation and give
us a glimpse into their vision for TVGU this season.
To learn more about Therapy for Black Girls University and
how you can become a part of the community, head
on over to Therapy for Blackgirls dot com slash TVGU
Did you know that you could leave us a voicemail
(21:27):
with your questions or suggestions for the podcast If you
have topics you'd like us to discuss our guests you'd
like to hear, drop us a message at Memo FM
slash Therapy for Black Girls and let us know what's
on your mind. We just might feature it on the podcast.
If you're looking for a therapist in your area, visit
our therapist directory at Therapy for Blackgirls dot com slash directory.
(21:49):
Don't forget to follow us on Instagram at Therapy for
Black Girls and join us over in our Patreon community
for more exclusive updates and behind the scenes content. You
can join us at community dot Therapy for Black Girls
dot com. This episode was produced by Alise Ellis, Indechubu
and Tyree Rush. Editing was done by Dennison Bradbert. Thank
y'all so much for joining me again this week. I
(22:10):
look forward to continuing this conversation with you all real soon.
Take good care,
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