Toastmasters: Bridging the Digital Divide with Communication

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by Evan Hudson | UAB Community Health and Human Services Program (Student)

Photo by Henri Mathieu-Saint-Laurent on Pexels.com

How has campus life been since the pandemic? Are you happy to see your peers again and enjoy in-person activities, or have you struggled to reconnect? You’re not alone – many students are dealing with increased anxiety, low self-esteem, and lack of motivation to engage socially and academically (Acosta-Gonzaga, 2023; Hu et al., 2022). COVID-19 pushed digital communication forward, but many now find in-person interactions more difficult. How can we get back to the basics and talk to each other again?

Research in second language acquisition shows that language “output” (speaking, writing, typing) can boost confidence (Muhajir & Sri Redjeki, 2018). Public speaking, often ranked as a top fear, is one way to promote this. You may not be learning a second language, but what if you could join a supportive community to practice and improve your speaking skills?

A Comfortable Place to Practice Speaking Skills
Toastmasters International is a global public speaking club, and its University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) chapter is growing fast. The club helps you build confidence in communication through a stress-free environment. We work on everything from body language to eye contact, with personalized learning “Pathways” that focus on your needs. We often tell our members that “half of life if how you talk to people,” and we know that if you can speak to an audience, you can speak to an individual. Public speaking can help you become more comfortable with meetings, job interviews, and many other in person or digital interactions.

“Toastmasters helped me prepare for presentations in my graduate program. Those skills carried over into my professional career, and I present almost every week” – Former Graduate Student

Toastmasters at UAB can allow for one to grow professionally and connect with like-minded individuals from around the world. Plus, the confidence one can build in Toastmasters can carry over to conversations with friends, peers, and family. Visitors are welcome to attend meetings for free. We meet at UAB’s Bevill Biomedical Research Building (Room 170) on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 5:30 PM, and hold a hybrid meeting on the 3rd Monday of each month. To learn more about Toastmasters at UAB, please visit uab.toastmastersclubs.org. I hope to see you there!

References
Acosta-Gonzaga, E. (2023). The effects of self-esteem and academic engagement on university students’ performance. Behavioral Sciences, 13(4), 348. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13040348

Hu, K., Godfrey, K., Ren, Q., Wang, S., Yang, X., & Li, Q. (2022). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on college students in USA: Two years later. Psychiatry Research, 315, 114685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114685

Ibrahim, I. W., & Shahabani, N. S. (2020). THE USE OF PUBLIC SPEAKING TO PROMOTE CONFIDENCE IN LEARNING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE. European Journal of English Language Teaching, 6(1).

Muhajir, R., & Sri Redjeki, I. (2018). Public speaking activities to improve students’ speaking skills. ENGLISH JOURNAL, 12(1), 39. https://doi.org/10.32832/english.v12i1.3769 Wang, Y., & Liu, J. (2024). The impact of COVID-19 on international students: A qualitative synthesis. British Journal of Educational Studies, 72(6), 805–829. https://doi.org/10.1080/00071005.2024.2374077

The Stigma Around Therapy: Breaking the Silence

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By Jaslyn Bush | UAB Community Health & Human Services Program (Student)

Photo by Antoni Shkraba Studio on Pexels.com

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of mental health issues and the importance of seeking therapy. However, despite progress in raising awareness, a significant stigma still surrounds mental health therapy, preventing many individuals from seeking the help they need.

The stigma around therapy often stems from societal misconceptions and stereotypes. Many people still believe that seeking mental health therapy is a sign of weakness or that it is only for those with severe mental illnesses (Corrigan, 2004). This perception is far from the truth. Therapy can be a valuable tool for anyone facing life’s challenges, whether they are dealing with stress, relationship issues, or personal growth.

The Impact of Stigma
Stigma can prevent individuals from seeking help, leading to untreated mental health issues that can worsen over time (Vogel, Wade, & Haake, 2006). Additionally, the fear of being judged or misunderstood can cause individuals to suffer in silence, further exacerbating their struggles. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), there are 3 kinds of stigma:

Public Stigma: This stigma can be described as negative and inaccurate attitudes about a mental illness from the public (Singhal, 2024). There is a fear that one may experience discrimination i employment, housing, health care, etc. due to one being diagnosed with a mental illness.

Self-Stigma: This includes negative attitudes, including internalized shame of their condition. Self-stigma can lead to lower self-esteem issues and reduce self-confidence.

Structural Stigma: Involves policies of government and private organizations that intentionally or unintentionally limit opportunities for people for people with mental illness (Singhal, 2024). If the federal government or state and local municipalities reduce funding for mental health services and programs, then individuals in need of care will not have less opportunity to receive the care and support they need.

Breaking the Silence
To combat the stigma around therapy, professionals in health and human services must promote open and honest conversations about mental health. Education is key; providing accurate information about the benefits of therapy and debunking common myths, in order to change societal attitudes (Corrigan & Watson, 2002). Additionally, sharing personal stories and experiences can help normalize therapy and encourage others to seek help.

The stigma around therapy is a significant barrier to mental health care. By understanding its roots, recognizing its impact, and taking steps to promote open conversations, we can work towards a society where seeking therapy is thought of as a sign of strength and self-care. If you or someone you know has experienced challenges with mental and emotional health, consider sharing your thoughts and perspectives in the comments below and engage with us on Facebook at the Wilkinson Wellness Lab.

References

Corrigan, P. W. (2004). How stigma interferes with mental health care. American Psychologist, 59(7), 614-625. 

Corrigan, P. W., & Watson, A. C. (2002). Understanding the impact of stigma on people with mental illness. World Psychiatry, 1(1), 16-20. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1489832/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1489832/)

Vogel, D. L., Wade, N. G., & Haake, S. (2006). Measuring the self-stigma associated with seeking psychological help. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 53(3), 325-337. [

Kalkbrenner, M. T., & Esparza, S. (2022). Barriers to seeking counseling among a national sample of U.S. physicians: The revised fit, stigma, and value scale. The Professional Counselor, 15(2), 123-137.

Melnyk, B. M., Kelly, S. A., & Jacobson, D. (2020). Reducing stigma and promoting mental health in healthcare professionals: An integrative review. Journal of Nursing Management, 28(5), 1020-1030.

Singhal, N. (2024, March). Stigma, Prejudice and Discrimination Against People with Mental Illness. American Psychiatric Association. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination

Balancing Screen Time for Healthier Family Connections

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by Tiana Lopez | UAB Community Health and Human Services Program (Student)

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com

In many homes across the Southeast, families may spend evenings under the same roof yet feel worlds apart, each absorbed in their own screens. Phones, tablets, and televisions can provide entertainment and even educational opportunities, but when they begin to replace conversations and shared activities, the impact on parent–child relationships can be concerning.

Studies show that when parents spend too much time on their phones during family activities, they become less emotionally responsive to their children. This lack of responsiveness can leave children feeling overlooked or unimportant and over time may weaken trust and closeness (American Psychological Association, 2025). A recent review also found a two-way relationship between screen use and children’s well-being. Excessive screen time can contribute to emotional and behavioral difficulties, while children who already struggle emotionally are more likely to use screens as a way to cope (Ebert, 2025).

The Southeast is known for its close-knit communities and strong family values, but heavy screen use has the potential to interfere with these traditions of connection. When children feel like devices are competing with them for their parents’ attention, it affects their sense of security and belonging. These feelings can spill into other areas of life, influencing school motivation, friendships, and emotional health.

Fortunately, technology does not need to divide families. The key is balance. Parents can model healthy habits by creating intentional device-free times. Eating meals together without screens or planning one evening each week for family activities such as games, outdoor walks, or simple conversation can reinforce that family time matters. These small steps help children feel valued and show that relationships are a priority.

Parents sometimes worry that children will resist screen limits or that routines will be disrupted. However, research shows that when changes are explained with warmth and consistency, children adapt more quickly than expected. Framing these new routines as fun opportunities for connection rather than as restrictions makes children more willing to participate (Nagata et al., 2024).

Screens are a permanent part of modern life, but they do not have to dominate relationships. By setting aside moments for genuine connection, parents can strengthen bonds, improve communication, and reassure their children that they are more important than any device.

As a parent, how do you ensuring engaging with your children and managing your screen time? As a child, how do you unplug and ensure that you are not spending too much time on screen? Please share your comments below and engage with the article at the Wilkinson Wellness Lab on Facebook.

References:

Screen time and emotional problems in kids: A vicious circle? (2025, June 9). https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2025/06/screen-time-problems-children?utm_source=

Morgan Ebert, Managing Editor. (2025, June 13). Study links screen time to socioemotional problems in children, with bidirectional effects. Contemporary Pediatrics.
https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/view/study-links-screen-time-to-socioemotional-problems-in-children-with-bidirectional-effects?utm_source=

Nagata, J. M., Paul, A., Yen, F., Smith-Russack, Z., Shao, I. Y., Al-Shoaibi, A. a. A., Ganson, K. T., Testa, A., Kiss, O., He, J., & Baker, F. C. (2024). Associations between media parenting practices and early adolescent screen use. Pediatric Research. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-024-03243-y