ConveRSE - Let's Talk About Mental Health

As part of my Software Sustainability Institute (SSI) Fellowship, I’ve been looking for ways to support mental health in the research software community. 1 in 4 adults experience mental health problems each year, and in 2022, Dave Horsfall conducted a survey which showed that a range of issues are common among Research Software Engineers (RSEs). This is hardly surprising, as working as an RSE or Research Technical Professional (RTP) presents a unique set of challenges; we have to deal with context and technology switching, impostor syndrome, limited career opportunities and recognition, on top of software development being notorious for burnout and… well, everything going on in the world right now! If not properly managed, it can be a recipe for mental health disaster, as I know only too well! In this talk, I will tell the story of how I became a father in lockdown, how it led to burnout and an anxiety attack, and how that experience motivated me to apply for the Fellowship. I will explain why I believe it is essential to continue the conversation around mental health, to create an environment where people can discuss mental health in the workplace, and why it’s better to address issues before they turn into larger problems. I will look at what we can practically do to support mental health among RSEs (and those in similar professions), including some advice, best practices and other things I’ve learned from telling my story and discussing mental health at various events over the last couple of years. Finally, I will introduce ConveRSE - a new online hub for mental health information, projects and resources aimed at RSEs and RTPs - and encourage people to get involved so we can work together to create a better future for ourselves and our colleagues. Acknowledgements This work has been supported by the Software Sustainability Institute as part of their Fellowship Programme. A recording of this session is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Zup4_U6Qa74