Women in Business hosts mental health speaker series

NORMAL- Illinois State University’s Women in Business program is hosting a mental health speaker series. The series consists of 3-day of speeches where professionals and students explore mental health illnesses that are common in the workplace.

It will aim to help students understand mental health illnesses that they may face as business owners or as co-workers. Each day will focus on different ways to communicate, proper ways to offer resources, and the legal aspects of mental health concerns. 

“As a manager or supervisor, it’s important to ask ‘what can you do for them’ but as a co-worker you have much more freedom on what you can ask,” says Bateman.

She expanded on the legal limitation students can expect when holding management positions versus being a co-worker and having freedom to ask more open-ended questions. Furthermore, she encourages students to use this information not only in the workplace but to attribute it to their own health. 

“So the more open you are to talking about your well being, the better your mental health will be,” explained Bateman.

She emphasizes that a large part of being approachable includes maintaining one’s own mental health. While the series is geared towards students in the Women in Business program, it still encourages students to use tips among friends and peers. The presentation also provided information on local resources and encouraged students to contact them if they feel that their own mental health is suffering.

Maritza Navar-Lopez contributed to this story.