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.