Dr. Lance Tatum, President | Northwest Missouri State University
Dr. Lance Tatum, President | Northwest Missouri State University
The Behavioral Science Association at Northwest Missouri State University is set to host the "I Will Listen" event this month. The initiative aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness through various educational activities, support, and advocacy.
"I Will Listen" is an annual event at Northwest that supports a movement by the National Alliance of Mental Illnesses (NAMI). It seeks to promote mental health well-being and includes breakout rooms featuring art exhibits, exercise activities, guest speakers, and a paint-and-sip activity.
The art exhibit will showcase artwork from individuals of all ages as they illustrate their experiences with mental health. Attendees can also participate in an exercise room offering meditation, yoga, and circuit training sessions. The event will take place from 1 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, on the third floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union. Admission is free and open to the public.
Sada Irving, president of Northwest’s Behavioral Science Association and a senior psychology major from Elsberry, Missouri, emphasized the event's inclusive nature: “It’s a place where our humanness is materialized and we're able to see and meet each other right where we’re at." She highlighted how participants share stories through words, music, and artwork across different age groups: "I Will Listen represents community unity and the humanization of one another."
Musicians will perform pieces for guitar, voice, piano, and trumpet while speakers cover topics such as financial wellness; art healing; leisure; working in mental health; spiritual care; perception influenced by the brain; and healthy sexual relationships psychology.
Irving noted that engaging with these elements helps break mental illness stigma: “By engaging in actively listening to the stories... doing physical activity... opening conversations with our art exhibit... our whole community is contributing.”
Proceeds from "I Will Listen" will be donated to NAMI.
For further details about "I Will Listen," contact Sada Irving directly.
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