Thread by @viewfromabook

Mental Health Month is coming to a close, and I have been thinking about what I want to say (thread). I grew up working in the mental health industry and contend with severe ADD and SADS. My coping mechanisms are well developed and my life. 1/

I am very aware of the many mental and physical health challenges my community can face and am proud of the opportunities that hacking/bug bounty brings to people for whom finding spoons for a 9-5 is difficult or impossible. 2/

I feel the broader hacking community, despite many challenges in other areas, does a pretty good job validating and accepting the mental health experiences of other members--esp. anxiety and social anxiety. ♡ 3/

However, I sometimes worry about the pressure we put on ourselves--esp. in bug bounty where there is a tendency to only see the success of others when doing self-evaluation. 4/

Sometimes when a hacker is less prolific than normal (& has not mentioned other life events) I check in to make sure they are okay. Often, the answer is "sorry, I just needed a break." This answer worries me b/c it implies that there is an expectation that hackers are machines. 5

Self care is necessary. All hackers, even the best, get overwhelmed, have dry spells, struggle with creativity, etc. These are just less seen. Taking breaks, processing through burnout after a spat of productivity, all of these are normal. 6

This is my long winded way of saying please take care of yourself. Burnout is real. Spoons are not infinite. Whatever your struggle, you are not alone, your community can be there for you. npr.org/sections/healt… 7/

I would also like to take this time to hear what you think the hacking community can do to support each other's mental health?

(Pic of my partner petting all three household dogs for sticking through the whole thread) 8/8