Conclusions
One good thing that has come about since the pandemic is the increased
attention that is being paid to the topic of mental health. The field of
computing should capitalize on this opportunity to address workplace
conditions that are detrimental from a mental health perspective. Building on
the flexibility that was needed during the ever-changing conditions of
the pandemic, I advocate for added flexibility for workers in terms of
what constitutes the workday. We also need to rethink what is meant by
“success” in our discipline and allow for the adoption of other models of success that
may focus more on service and outreach. Toxic work
environments need urgent attention as well because they lead to poor
mental health outcomes. Lastly, a focus on DEI will benefit all in the
workplace, especially those who are traditionally underrepresented. By
making these changes, employers can expect the well-being of their
employees to improve.
Footnote
1 The author of this article has a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.