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

2. WHO AM I? ▸ Senior Software Developer @ Transpoco ▸

   Open Source Project Maintainer for joind.in ▸ Volunteer with Open Sourcing Mental Illness (OSMI) 2

3. WHO AM I NOT? ▸ A Doctor ▸ A Mental

   Health Worker ▸ Qualified to make a diagnosis or advise on treatment 3

4. HOWEVER, I myself suffer from a mental illness and I

   am passionate about overcoming the stigma associated with mental health problems 4

5. STORY TIME 5

6. OPEN SOURCING MENTAL ILLNESS CHANGING HOW WE TALK ABOUT MENTAL

   HEALTH IN THE TECH COMMUNITY 6

7. 1 IN 5 PEOPLE WILL SUFFER FROM A MENTAL HEALTH

   DISORDER AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIVES World Health Organisation 7

8. 2015: 451 SUICIDES IN IRELAND, 83% WERE MEN! Health Services

   Executive 8

9. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE UNDERFUNDED AND FACING INCREASED DEMAND Oireachtas

   Group on Mental Health 9

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 10

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 11

12. HOW CAN YOU HELP YOURSELF? ▸ Eat properly ▸ Exercise

    ▸ Get time away from your computer ▸ Find someone you can talk to 12

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 13

14. IT’S NORMAL TO EXPERIENCE 1 OR 2 OF THESE SYMPTOMS.

    14

15. IF YOU EXPERIENCE MORE, MAYBE SPEAK TO YOUR GP 15

16. WE NEED TO STOP THE STIGMA, SELF EDUCATION IS THE

    FIRST STEP. 16

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 17

18. FURTHER RESOURCES ▸ HTTPS://OSMIHELP.ORG ▸ HTTP://MENTALHEALTHIRELAND.IE ▸ HTTPS://AWARE.IE ▸ HTTPS://MIND.ORG.UK