Cultivating Inclusive and Mentally Healthy Spaces was a one-day event focused on promoting awareness and action around mental health and inclusivity. Attendees explored strategies to create supportive, inclusive environments that foster mental well-being.

The program, held Thursday, Oct. 9, was presented by the Arkansas State University, St. Bernards Medical Center, Arisa Health, and the New York Institute of Technology’s (NYIT) Office of Access and Community Engagement. 

Evette Allen Moore, assistant dean for Access and Belonging and committee member for NYIT, helped organize the event. 

“People should pay attention to their mental health and mental well-being. But then there’s also looking at the research and the stories. There are some stigmas attached to taking care of your mental health. I think that’s one of the biggest barriers to break through,” Moore said.

Moore said she helped make the conference possible through connections with various mental health organizations and is motivated by the positive outcomes for the community.

“I see more and more people becoming aware and more and more people being willing to advocate. There’s going to be tools for not just helping yourself, but also being able to direct other people to resources,” Moore said.

Moore said she looks to improve and bring more awareness to mental health as much as she can.

Natasha Bowman led the event as keynote speaker. Bowman, a workplace consultant and advocate for mental health, shared her journey from overcoming congenital heart disease to becoming a top management guru.

In her speech, she highlighted her work with major clients like Google and Microsoft, her role as an adjunct professor and her keynote speaking engagements. Bowman discussed her struggle with bipolar disorder and her mission to break the stigma surrounding mental health.

She also serves as an adjunct professor of human resources at institutions including Georgetown University, Fordham University, Manhattan College, and the Jack Welch Management Institute. 

Bowman said mindful awareness and emotional regulation is integral in managing stress and maintaining mental health.

“If we can practice tips and emotional regulation, understanding our body enough where, hey, I’m in a place right now where I need to take a pause, I need to breathe. I don’t have to respond right now,” Bowman said.

Bowman said knowing when to speak to others and how to speak to others is important for mental health.

“So, understanding our bodies enough to know when we’re to that point where we need to take a pause, need to take a breather, go outside, take a walk, whatever it is to regulate our emotions,” Bowman said.

The breakout session focused on advocating for mental health and self-care in various settings and recognizing signs of stress.

Shadon Duncan and Christy Mathis-Conway led the session. Duncan is associate chief of grants and business development and chief officer for Arisa Health, while Mathis-Conway is program manager at Arisa Health.

They discussed how one in five individuals in the U.S. struggles with mental health issues, primarily depression and anxiety.

“Most adults spend one-third of their waking hours at work, so it’s very obvious that you’re going to also see those things showing up in your work environment.

Duncan said a healthy work environment is important to keep a clear mental health.

 “One of the things that we like to do in the training that we provide is to help increase what we’re calling your noticing skills. It’s not to make you a clinician, but it’s to help you to be better aware and to be more aware where someone may be struggling,” Duncan said.

Mathis-Conway said the signs and symptoms of mental health issues, including emotional indicators like irritability, mood swings, and anxiety, are important to recognize. 

Behavioral signs include social withdrawal, reduced participation in meetings and avoiding tasks. Physical indicators include headaches, muscle tension, unexplained fatigue and changes in appetite or weight. Cognitive indicators include trouble concentrating, brain fog, forgetfulness and negative self-talk.

“Stress rarely stays private. It leaks into how we communicate, how we connect, and how we collaborate with other people. So take some time to check in with you in all of these domains,  emotional, behavioral, physical, cognitive, and then your own interpersonal culture,” Conway said.

A panel discussion on the evolution of mental health awareness in the workplace over the past decade concluded the event.

The panel composed Taylor Mason, director of outpatient psych at St. Bernards; Amber Martin, licensed professional counselor and director of the Wilson Counseling Center; Walton McDaniel, director of student health services for Jonesboro Public Schools and licensed practitioner counselor and supervisor; and Justin Parkey, an attorney at Waddell, Cole & Jones specializing in employment law.

Martin said the event helped highlight the current generation’s increased awareness and acceptance of mental health. She said this challenges older generations to adapt. 

 Martin said the increased awareness, acceptance and importance of mental health for the current generation, which is challenging older generations to adapt.

“We’re seeing students that are understanding the value of mental health days or learning healthy self-care tips, and because of that, they’re almost challenging the older generations,” Martin said. “They’re challenging us to adopt and adapt to what the new generations are looking for, and I think that is helping in that acceptance, as well as allowing our employers to be understanding and providing those resources to help.”

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