Fostering Open Source Culture for Healthier Minds & Happier Devs

Given at GitHub Universe 2017 - this talk discusses my personal journey with mental health & how you can use open source methodologies to help support a healthier environment.

You can view this talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFu-s8wzlIw

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Transcript

1. OPEN SOURCE
   FOR HEALTHIER
   MINDS &
   HAPPIER DEVS
   

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2. @RedRoxProjects
   You seem nice… follow me!
   

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3. TRIGGER WARNINGS:
   DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, SELF HARM, SUICIDE
   

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4. MANAGER
   OR TEAM LEAD
   OPEN SOURCE MAINTAINER
   OR REPOSITORY OWNER
   COMMUNITY LEADER
   OR VOLUNTEER
   @RedRoxProjects
   

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5. @RedRoxProjects
   

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6. GIVE CONTEXT
   PROVIDE EXAMPLES
   MINDFUL METHODS
   HOW YOU CAN HELP
   This talk will…
   @RedRoxProjects
   

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7. Mental Health Stats
   

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8. 1 in 5
   @RedRoxProjects
   

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9. 1 in 7
   @RedRoxProjects
   

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10. 50%
    @RedRoxProjects
    

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11. 2000
    2002
    2012
    2014
    2016
    2017
    @RedRoxProjects
    First instances
    of
    suicidal thoughts
    First instance
    of
    self harm
    First visit to
    a
    Doctor about m
    y
    m
    ental health
    First round
    of therapy
    (Counselling
    &
    Cognitive
    Behavioural Therapy
    - CBT)
    Breakdown
    leading
    to
    change
    of m
    edication
    Stable
    BUT
    still
    learning
    My Mental Health Journey
    

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12. anxious
    depressed
    paranoid
    happy
    confident
    bouncy
    @RedRoxProjects
    

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13. anxious
    depressed
    paranoid
    happy
    confident
    bouncy
    @RedRoxProjects
    Medication Myths...
    

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14. @RedRoxProjects
    Find it here...
    http://bit.ly/2yeFN1P
    My Blog Post
    

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15. @RedRoxProjects
    Just read your blog. Very honest, very powerful.
    Hope you're good xx
    Thanks for your post Been a bit on the brink recently, helps a little.
    Especially to know someone as accomplished as you suffers like me
    I know this is super random but i just wanted to say thanks for
    that medium article. Takes some guts to write something like
    that so good job on doing it
    So much strength and courage to share something so
    personal with everyone really proud of you xxx
    

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16. Be an Ally Empathy
    Understanding
    @RedRoxProjects
    

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17. @RedRoxProjects
    The struggle is REAL
    

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18. Hi Amy,
    Mona and I have been reading back through the
    discussion between you, Mona and Hubot, and the
    whole situation left us feeling very anxious. It took
    a bit of time for us to get our heads around why.
    @RedRoxProjects
    Oh erm Ok… What do you know
    about the situation?
    Why are you responding? Where has
    this come from?
    What did I do?
    Why are you feeling anxious…
    I’m the one who opened up…
    Did I do the wrong thing?
    

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19. We can see it is a project you are very passionate
    about and while this has worked in the past, it has
    lead to some heated discussions recently.
    triggered!
    Wow that was a backhanded compliment :/
    Was i really being that defensive? Weren’t
    we just debating? I’m confused
    *heart palpitations*
    @RedRoxProjects
    

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20. We are concerned that us getting involved and
    imposing our way of doing things, even
    inadvertently, might lead to further disagreements
    and tensions between us and we don't want that.
    Imposing??? What is going on here?
    I thought we were working together to
    find what suits us all best...
    Might? -- you’re kind of
    suggesting it will…
    Do i have a choice - how
    do i voice how i feel? Do I
    even bother?
    @RedRoxProjects
    

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21. We value our friendship with you and we do not
    believe it is worth risking it over this project.
    Do you really?? Am i being unreasonable? Is this
    because i told you about my mental health
    condition? I won’t do that again!
    Why couldn’t you talk to me in person…
    How is this all meant to sound?
    @RedRoxProjects
    Oh no… what does hubot think about me now?
    *ANgry cry*
    

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22. @RedRoxProjects
    My Personal Coping Mechanisms
    I listen to music on days
    when I struggle to socialise
    with people around me
    I use Cognitive Behavioural
    Therapy techniques like
    thought diaries for
    assessing situations
    I play piano and write when
    I need a release
    When I am extroverted and
    when I can and feel
    comfortable I talk about my
    experience to help others
    Follow our efforts
    @mkoftech
    When I’m severely
    introverted I write, blog, or
    draw
    

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23. 3
    @RedRoxProjects
    

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24. @RedRoxProjects
    1 Talk Openly
    

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25. @RedRoxProjects
    EMPATHY
    

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26. @RedRoxProjects
    

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27. @RedRoxProjects
    

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28. @RedRoxProjects
    1
    2
    Talk Openly
    Share Things
    

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29. @RedRoxProjects
    

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30. @RedRoxProjects
    If you have the ability to share
    EVERYTHING with EVERYONE
    - why aren’t you?
    

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31. 1
    2
    3
    @RedRoxProjects
    Talk Openly
    Share Things
    Remove Ambiguity
    

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32. @RedRoxProjects
    

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33. @RedRoxProjects
    +
    +
    +
    fine
    fine
    fine
    =
    =
    =
    sad/disappointed
    angry
    actually fine
    

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34. @RedRoxProjects
    

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35. CASE STUDY :
    GitHub Campus Experts
    @RedRoxProjects
    

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36. 1
    @RedRoxProjects
    We Talk Openly...
    

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37. @RedRoxProjects
    2 We Share Things...
    

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38. @RedRoxProjects
    3 We Remove Ambiguity...
    

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39. @RedRoxProjects
    Speak to a Campus Expert at Universe!
    

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40. Amy’s Dos & Don’ts
    @RedRoxProjects
    

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41. @RedRoxProjects
    Don’t...
    ● Ask people for labels or try to label people
    ● Assume tone
    ● Share conversations or info without explicit
    permission
    

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42. @RedRoxProjects
    Do...
    ● Give people the benefit of the doubt
    ● Check your language & encourage others to do so
    too - especially descriptors
    ● Offer your support as an ally
    

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43. Amanda’s GitHub Repo
    @RedRoxProjects
    

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44. @RedRoxProjects
    github.com/agelender/mental-health-resources
    

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45. @RedRoxProjects
    CHALLENGES HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT
    1. Being a subject of gossip
    2. Alienation & awkwardness
    3. Denied career advances
    4. Communicating issues to team &
    management
    5. Taking time off for wellbeing
    6. Taking extended time off
    7. Symptoms that impact workflow &
    productivity
    1. Normalise conversations about
    mental health conditions
    2. Be open about your own needs
    3. Stop glamorizing over-working
    4. Encourage taking time off
    5. Seek out guidance within your
    company on management
    6. Work together to find
    accommodations
    Lessons from Amanda’s workshop on Mental Health
    

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46. @RedRoxProjects
    The most damaging
    phrase in the language is
    “We’ve always done it
    this way”
    Grace Hopper
    

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47. @RedRoxProjects
    Together == Better
    

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48. @RedRoxProjects
    Thank You
    

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