The Well-Being Peer program will be hosted by the A.S. Public & Mental Health Commission! The objective of the program is to better engage incoming students and foster mentor/mentee relationships between new and enrolled students. The program will offer new students better knowledge of UCSB mental health resources and help monitor students’ well-being. Peer mentors and mentees will keep communication via email or phone messaging, whichever the mentee is most comfortable with. The program is free and open to any incoming students who are interested! We will have general body meetings once a month to pose potential topics to discuss such as self-care, registering for classes, and coping tools! Peer mentors will reach out to mentees informally through text/email at least once a week and through a Zoom/phone call every 4-6 weeks. Below you will find our mentors that will be helping you through the process!
Reach out to pmhc-pmdirector@as.ucsb.edu for more information or questions!
Hi everyone! I’m Rosi Barboza, the Peer Mentor Director. I’m a 4th year Psychological and Brain Sciences Major with a minor in Applied Psychology. I am from San Leandro, Ca in the Bay Area. I absolutely love to cook and grow my own herbs, fruits, and veggies!
Hello! My name is Advika (she/her), and I’m a 3rd year Bio major and Education minor. In my free time, I love trying to play Phoebe Bridgers’ discography on the guitar/piano, baking, sewing, reading Jane Austen novels, and napping. I’m hoping to support you all with the transition to college life, mental-health wise and otherwise. I also want to know what kinds of problems and barriers that young adults are facing today, because I’m hoping to work with youth populations in my career to dismantle systemic obstacles that impede physical/mental health.
Hi! I’m Andrea Chavez, pronouns she/her, and I’m a 4th year Sociology major. I’m extremely passionate about mental health advocacy and love to spend my free time painting or binge watching Grey’s Anatomy. I’m super excited to develop trusting, safe spaces and form authentic relationships!
Hi I’m Annika (pronounced like Monica, but without the M)! I am a 3rd year Psychology and Brain Sciences major and I’m very passionate about mental health. I love to listen to music, play soccer, and spend time with friends. I hope to build connections, offer advice/ support, and make the UCSB experience a bit more manageable.
Hi! I’m Gracelyn, I use she/her pronouns, and I’m a 3rd year Psych & Brain Sciences and History double major. I love reading/watching movies & tv and talking/writing about them, I love yoga and being active, and I crochet! As a mentor, I would love to provide the support that I didn’t know how to ask for in my freshman year, and just be a shoulder to lean on throughout this wonderful and challenging transition!
Hi! My name is Kara Vartabedian and my pronouns are she/her. I am a 4th year majoring in Sociology and double minoring in Applied Psychology and Education. My interests consist of yoga, hiking, wake surfing, snow skiing, surfing, going to the beach and farmers’ markets! I love to share my knowledge and help others while watching them grow and succeed.
Hey y’all! I’m Kayla Mata, and I am a 3rd year Psychological & Brain Sciences major with a minor in Applied Psychology. I enjoy experimenting with cooking, reading about astrology, and learning about curly hair care. I am a HUGE The Office fan, and I love listening to Sublime and Bad Bunny. I am so excited to be able to build relationships with mentees so that I can be a friend and a resource to those who need it.
hey y’all! I’m Krystal Contreras and my pronouns are she/her/hers/ella. I’m a third year and my major is Psychological Brain Science (PBS). Some of my favorite hobbies are to watch shows/movies, do yoga, do makeup, and read! I also love listening to music, Spotify is definitely one of my most used apps! I hope to be able to share some of my knowledge and experience with all of you, to make your transition to college a bit easier and possibly make some friends along the way!
Hi! My name is Thea (she/her/hers) and I am a third year Biochemistry Major. I am an outdoor enthusiast and love to adventure and exercise outdoors but I also enjoy relaxing with a good book. In my free time I like to play boardgames and spend time with friends (pre-covid) running or playing frisbee on the beach. I can’t wait to meet some new people and create connections during these unprecedented times!
Hello! I’m Yvette Felix, my pronouns are she/her/hers and I’m a 3rd year Bio Anthropology and Sociology double major. I enjoy practicing meditation and yoga, and I like watching sunsets! I’m looking forward to meeting my mentees and learning how to navigate mental health and college together!