While the development sector might appear to be the most update-to-date on matters of #Mentalhealth , it is not! And this is true for organisations that work in the development space at the intersection of media, communications, consultancy etc. The 'work about work' is ignored.
Most young dev sector professionals I speak to are experiencing one or more mental health issues, and not all have access or means to approach professionals. For some reason, don't know why, we are forgetting that the way we lived+function has drastically changed since #COVID19.
It is somehow unacceptable when an employee is missing in action, even for a few minutes, between 9-5. But working additional hours before 9 and after 5 is completely fine. How? Weekdays, comp offs, public holidays--what is that?
Until I came across this 'work about work' post that a colleague--to whom I am eternally grateful, for sharing from time to time about the importance of work-life balance--shared, I wasn't sure why people think multitasking or overworking is 'cool'.
It is because no one accounts for extra minutes or hours that are put in. I have had long conversations with my friends in the dev sector--all of us on the verge of having a breakdown--but none of us has had the courage to walk up to those who can change things for the better😞
Why young folks can't do it is no one but many issues put together. But the most significant one is that it risks their job, promotion and opportunities. Yes, it does.
Just felt like putting it out there because on most days I feel this👇
So, if there are folks out there who feel that 'work about work' is bleh and part and parcel of the whole social impact job thing...please, don't assume.
Here's a quick and relevant read by @EDITORWEEK that I find extremely useful going back to👇
🧵After over a decade, #Chennai is voting at local body elections TODAY!
Here's a set of explainers, articles and interviews, and most importantly, the complete zonal profiles with ward maps, and list of candidates compiled by @citizenmatters 👇