Two of our 2025 Crohn's and Colitis Young Adults Network Fellows, Akhil Shridhar & Alexis Gomez (alongside 2022 Fellow Maalvika Bhuvansunder & Program Manager Rosa Kelekian) presented on the intersections of Chronic Illness, Mental Health, and Cultural Considerations at the 2025 Bridging Voices, Building Futures: Youth Innovation in Mental Health Conference (hosted by Generation Mental Health). Their presentation “Silent no More: We are the Story and the Solution” discussed some of the mental health stressors that young adult patients face, challenges accessing care (particularly for patients in low/middle income countries), and our thoughts on integrating peer support and community-led programs into mental health care.
Watching Your Child Live with IBD: The Story You Don't Hear
by Michelle Garber (California, U.S.A.)
In this video, 2025 CCYAN Fellow Michelle interviews her mother, Amanda, about what it's like to be a parent of someone with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which is often a side of the IBD story that goes untold. Together, they take a trip down memory lane, recounting life before Michelle's diagnosis, and discuss the hard truths that come along with not only having IBD but also witnessing someone who you love suffer from it. Michelle and Amanda dive deep into conversations about advocacy, mental health, self-care, comorbidities, and more. This mother-daughter dialogue fosters a unique caregiver and parental point of view, further expanding the conversation about caregiver support while highlighting the need to share untold stories in order to create more awareness for IBD patients, parents, and caregivers alike.
Content warning: This interview includes discussions around topics like hospitalization, medical dismissal, and mental health struggles.
"Familial Patterns: Generations of Patients" Art Show Livestream
by Kaitlyn Niznik (New York, U.S.A.)
Join 2025 CCYAN fellow Kaitlyn Niznik for a tour of her art show "Familial Patterns: Generations of Patients" at Gallery RAG in Gloucester MA! See the gallery space and learn more about the artwork — including poetry/artwork from other 2025 CCYAN fellows (Beamlak, Aiswarya, and Alexis) and community members!
Life with IBD
By Aiswarya Asokan, Akhil Shridhar, and Rifa Tusnia Mona
Watch Aiswarya, Akhil, and Rifa’s video on Life with IBD! The idea is to contrast the personal, raw footage (amateur feel) with vibrant stock footage to amplify the emotional weight of the message—we can highlight the gap between the lived reality of an IBD patient and the world they aspire to fully experience.
Caregiver Conversations IV: Supporting Someone with IBD
By Zahraa Chorghay
In Zahraa's fourth Caregiver Conversations for CCYAN, she chats with her friend, Gnanu, on what it means to support someone with IBD, with a focus on disability access and unlearning judgement.
Caregiver Conversations III: Supporting Someone with IBD
by Zahraa Chorghay
In Zahraa's third Caregiver Conversations for CCYAN, she chats with her friend -- let's call her "Kelly" -- on what it means to support someone with IBD, including lessons learned from the textbook to real life, the importance of patience and flexibility, and Kelly's insights on what we can salvage with friendship even in the throes of IBD.
A "Day Off" with IBD
by Alexis Gomez (California, U.S.A.)
Join 2025 CCYAN Fellow Alexis on her “day off” with IBD, as she takes care of medical tests, navigates insurance, and flexes her advocacy skills (plus, engages in some self-care along the way)!
A Week in my Life with IBD (in remission)!
by Michelle Garber (California, U.S.A.)
Join 2025 CCYAN Fellow Michelle for a week in her life as a young adult with IBD! (Voice-over text below).
Voice-over:
I start this week looking my best,
Make-up on, energy up, and Purim Party dressed.
I have a good time with friends I adore,
My night routine later becoming SUCH a chore.
I then wake up exhausted and can’t get out of bed,
But I still do my work and eat, with the few spoons I have left.
The following day, I am more energized,
Entering a room I know is so sterilized.
I fight through the fatigue brought on by my infusion,
Work, eat, pack my lunch, and take my meds before my day came to its conclusion.
I now begin my work-week by getting up at 6,
Drown myself in coffee, one of my favorite tricks!
I go to my internship, and straight into my routine,
Notes, calls, clients, group therapy, and a lot of caffeine!
After work, I can’t do a lot,
But look at this cute video I got!
I awaken fatigued, joining class with my dog,
Eat, complete assignments, and get ready for work tomorrow…all with pretty bad brain fog!
The next day still comes quick, and to my internship I return,
I have a great session with a client, but for dryer weather I yearn (*the rain scares me*)
The chef made us salsa, which I completely devour,
Before heading home in what felt like a shower.
My day begins again with food and class,
Doing moving-day duties while trying to survive saying, “This too shall pass.” (*yes it will!*)
I call my best friend, who always makes me elated,
Thankfully managing to finish my speech and shower, no this isn’t x-rated. On this last day,
I wake up and eat,
Put on some make-up, and hop in my brother’s passenger seat.
I head to a gallery featuring art by the IBD community,
Presenting my speech while feeling such unity in our autoimmunity (*hehe*).
I eat more food before waiting in line,
The concert was great, but GOD my poor spine!
While I wake up so drained, I still remember the night I had,
So just don’t push too hard or use all your spoons, and life with IBD can sometimes be rad.