Bloomfield Graduate Advocates for Mental Health Awareness

This is one of several stories highlighting Winter Commencement 2025 graduates who are pursuing the American Dream and have found a quality education and sense of belonging at Montclair State University.

When Lataiva Balmer, a Psychology major at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University, faced mental health challenges, she realized it was a topic rarely discussed in the Black community. Determined to break the stigma and advocate for understanding, Balmer found her voice – and a community eager to listen.

Through her original podcast, What’s Up with Mental Health & Everything Else, she opens up conversations with students and others on ways to improve their mental well-being, especially in the wake of the pandemic.

This Commencement is the first time Bloomfield students are graduating with Montclair students at the same ceremony, and as Balmer prepares to participate on January 13, she reflected on the supportive, close-knit community that helped her thrive.

“Bloomfield is truly family, and as I graduate, I feel like I’m leaving my family behind,” she says.

Finding Purpose and Community

Balmer spent just two years at Bloomfield, taking extra courses during summer and winter sessions to graduate early after transferring as a second-year student. She had taken a year off from college during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I knew at the time that I was in college, but I wasn’t sure why I was there,” she says. “I took that year off to figure out my ‘why.’ During that time, I faced depression, family struggles, and challenges I had never encountered before.”

Once she joined the Bloomfield campus and got involved – a host of activities including the McNair Scholar Program and student government, and serving as a residential assistant and peer mentor – she noticed similar struggles among students. 

“But mental health wasn’t being talked about enough, especially in the Black community,” she says. “Being at a predominantly minority campus, many students seemed hesitant to confront issues like anxiety, depression and self-awareness.”

Determined to make a difference, Balmer found support from the Bloomfield counseling team to launch her podcast. “We explore topics relevant to students, sometimes delving into systemic issues like prisons and education systems, which lead to political discussions,” she says. Some episodes focus on practical topics, like coping mechanisms for depression and anxiety. “We also cover lighter subjects like love, favorite sports, and family dynamics to promote balanced mental well-being.”

Balmer continues to grow her podcast’s audience, with episodes now streaming on Spotify. Listener feedback highlights its relatability and honesty, she says. “It creates a sense of purpose when listeners share the podcast on their own pages to help raise mental health awareness. It brings me peace knowing that I’m not just speaking to a camera and mic – someone is actually listening, applying the advice and appreciating it.”

‘Write Your Own Story’

Reflecting on her journey, Balmer says:

“What I accomplished here in just two years allowed me to grow and persevere toward becoming the person I know I can be. I’ve always been passionate about Law and Psychology – fields I became fascinated with as early as middle school. Bloomfield gave me the tools to build the foundation for my goals, even if the picture isn’t fully complete yet. I’m confident the future will be just as rewarding.”

Balmer captured her reflections in a written piece titled Two Years Too Sweet, where she expressed how Bloomfield shaped her not just academically, but personally:

“As I reflect on my time here at Bloomfield College, I take away all the love and support I gained from each experience and encounter I’ve had. I take away many in-depth conversations, music suggestions, scolds, sharp eyes, podcast recommendations, nicknames, hugs, and prayers. But most of all, I take with me unexpected relationships and long-term laughter. ‘Write your own story’ is a theme we as Bears pride ourselves in, and I took that personally. I knew this was the right place for me to forge my story.”

She continues: “My goal was to create and leave a legacy for others to enjoy and follow. In the process, I discovered new ways to be impactful – teaching others how to start clubs, giving mental health advice, consoling peers, encouraging confidence, living up to the Portraits of Excellence, reciting poetry, and finding myself in all of these successes.”

“I take with me gratitude for all the people who made sure I was okay. I thank Bloomfield College for taking a confused but driven young girl and making her into a focused, passionate, intense, loving and sweet woman.”

After graduation, Balmer will begin working as a peer tutor for the Dual Enrollment Programs at Montclair State University, which provides high school students with the opportunity to earn college credits while fulfilling their high school requirements. She’s also considering pursuing graduate studies in international law or mental health counseling.

“It wasn’t until I transferred to Bloomfield College that I really sat down and asked myself, ‘Who do I want to be? Where do I want to go? How will I get there?'” Balmer reflects. “Those questions helped me paint a picture for my life. It’s not perfect yet, but the foundation is there, and that’s what matters most.”

Story by Staff Writer Marilyn Joyce Lehren. 

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