Looking after your mental health, a guide for software developers

Transcript

1. LOOKING AFTER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH,
   A GUIDE FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS.
   MARK RAILTON
   railto
   

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2. WHO AM I?
   ▸ Senior Software Developer @ Transpoco
   ▸ Open Source Project Maintainer for joind.in
   ▸ Volunteer with Open Sourcing Mental Illness (OSMI)
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3. WHO AM I NOT?
   ▸ A Doctor
   ▸ A Mental Health Worker
   ▸ Qualified to make a diagnosis or advise on treatment
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4. HOWEVER,
   I myself suffer from a mental illness and I am passionate
   about overcoming the stigma associated with mental health
   problems
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5. STORY TIME
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6. OPEN SOURCING MENTAL
   ILLNESS
   CHANGING HOW WE TALK ABOUT MENTAL
   HEALTH IN THE TECH COMMUNITY
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7. 1 IN 5 PEOPLE WILL SUFFER FROM
   A MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER AT
   SOME POINT IN THEIR LIVES
   World Health Organisation
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8. 2015: 451 SUICIDES IN
   IRELAND, 83% WERE MEN!
   Health Services Executive
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9. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
   ARE UNDERFUNDED AND
   FACING INCREASED DEMAND
   Oireachtas Group on Mental Health
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10. HOW CAN EMPLOYERS HELP?
    ▸ Create a culture that supports staff to be open about their
    mental health
    ▸ Be able to speak sensitively and empathetically with
    someone about their mental health
    ▸ Know how to support someone experiencing a mental
    health problem
    ▸ Be willing to provide time off when necessary
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11. HOW CAN COLLEAGUES HELP?
    ▸ Offer a listening ear
    ▸ Don’t pry and ask for information they are not prepared to
    offer
    ▸ Seek help when necessary from HR or your manager
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12. HOW CAN YOU HELP YOURSELF?
    ▸ Eat properly
    ▸ Exercise
    ▸ Get time away from your computer
    ▸ Find someone you can talk to
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13. SOME SIGNS YOU MAY BE SUFFERING FROM A MENTAL ILLNESS
    ▸ Excessive tiredness
    ▸ Insomnia
    ▸ Irritability
    ▸ Social Withdrawal
    ▸ Unusual drop in activity at work
    ▸ Increased sensitivities to sight, sound, smells and touch
    ▸ Loss of desire to participate in activities
    ▸ Illogical thinking
    ▸ Appetite Changes
    ▸ A decline in personal care
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14. IT’S NORMAL TO
    EXPERIENCE 1 OR 2 OF
    THESE SYMPTOMS.
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15. IF YOU EXPERIENCE MORE,
    MAYBE SPEAK TO YOUR GP
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16. WE NEED TO STOP THE
    STIGMA, SELF EDUCATION
    IS THE FIRST STEP.
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17. THANK YOU
    NO Q&A, FEEL FREE TO SPEAK TO ME IN PERSON IF YOU WANT TO
    DISCUSS ANYTHING FROM THIS TALK.
    PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW AT HTTPS://JOIND.IN/TALK/1452C
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18. FURTHER RESOURCES
    ▸ HTTPS://OSMIHELP.ORG
    ▸ HTTP://MENTALHEALTHIRELAND.IE
    ▸ HTTPS://AWARE.IE
    ▸ HTTPS://MIND.ORG.UK
    

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