Crisis Care

For Life Threatening Emergencies:

Call 911

Or go to your nearest Emergency Room

_________________________________

For other crisis needs 24/7:

    ♦   Text “Home” to 741741

Meet Our Peer Mental Health Educators

Home 9 Peer Programs 9 Peer Mental Health Educator Program 9 Meet Our Peer Mental Health Educators
Jessica Eldridge, Ph.D.

Jessica Eldridge, Ph.D.

Peer Mental Health Educator Program Coordinator

*2025-2026 Academic Year

Peer Educators are undergraduate students representing a rich diversity of cultural backgrounds and life experiences. Many, but certainly not all, students participating in the program are pursuing either employment or graduate work in the counseling/mental health professions. However, students in the program have represented a variety of undergraduate majors and there are former Peer Educators and Student Associate Coordinators who have entered into such graduate programs as economics, law, and veterinary medicine. Peer Educators have a genuine commitment to learning and self-growth, and to providing a meaningful service to the UC Irvine student community. Students accepted into the program during the Spring Quarter participate during the following academic year.

Nicollette Balassanian, M.A.

Nicollette Balassanian, M.A.

Peer Educator Program Co-Coordinator

Madeline Bruhn (she/her(s))

Madeline Bruhn (she/her(s))

Peer Coordinator

Ariany Baltazar (She/Her)

Ariany Baltazar (She/Her)

Peer Coordinator

Desiree Castell (she/her/ella)

Desiree Castell (she/her/ella)

Peer Educator

Desiree Ramon-Aquino (She/Her/Ella)

Desiree Ramon-Aquino (She/Her/Ella)

Peer Educator

Molly McCall (She/Her )

Molly McCall (She/Her )

Peer Educator

Sophia Liu (She/Her)

Sophia Liu (She/Her)

Peer Educator

Ambika Mohindra (She/Her)

Ambika Mohindra (She/Her)

Peer Educator

Aviara Mata-Mercado (she/her/hers)

Aviara Mata-Mercado (she/her/hers)

Peer Educator

Eric Carcamo (he/him)

Eric Carcamo (he/him)

Peer Educator

Venus Alejandrez (She/Her)

Venus Alejandrez (She/Her)

Peer Educator

Sahithya Subramaniam (She/Her/Hers)

Sahithya Subramaniam (She/Her/Hers)

Peer Educator

Lauren Jose (She/Her/Hers)

Lauren Jose (She/Her/Hers)

Peer Educator

Joban Toor (She/Her)

Joban Toor (She/Her)

Peer Educator

Raina Bonifacio (she/her)

Raina Bonifacio (she/her)

Peer Educator

Joyce Lui (she/her)

Joyce Lui (she/her)

Peer Educator

Michelle Urias (she/her)

Michelle Urias (she/her)

Peer Educator

Grace Kenyon (she/her)

Grace Kenyon (she/her)

Peer Educator

Fandom and Mental Health Benefits

It is getting closer to the holiday break and the end is in sight! Soon we will be with family and friends and getting some much-needed relaxation after the start to the quarter! Phew! While this time can be something to look forward to, it is important to still be aware of caring for your mental health. Here are some things to consider as we reach the end of the year!

Managing Perfectionism

It is getting closer to the holiday break and the end is in sight! Soon we will be with family and friends and getting some much-needed relaxation after the start to the quarter! Phew!

While this time can be something to look forward to, it is important to still be aware of caring for your mental health. Here are some things to consider as we reach the end of the year!

Mental Health Awareness Month

It is getting closer to the holiday break and the end is in sight! Soon we will be with family and friends and getting some much-needed relaxation after the start to the quarter! Phew!

While this time can be something to look forward to, it is important to still be aware of caring for your mental health. Here are some things to consider as we reach the end of the year!