Why Software Engineers Should Care About Mental Health
In the first episode of the arol.dev podcast, we spoke with Nadia Dillon, a software engineer and mental health advocate, about her journey in the tech industry and the challenges that can lead to mental health struggles and how she overcame them.
In the wild world of tech, mental health should be a much bigger priority due to the fact that engineers have to deal with high pressure, long hours, and intense problem-solving. It might seem fine at first but the demands can really start to take a toll on your mental health if they’re acknowledged or managed in the right way.
Why should developers prioritize mental health in the workplace:
1. Productivity can become vulnerable: Mental health directly affects an engineer's performance. When someone is struggling mentally, their ability to focus, solve problems, and collaborate with others can be weakened. This can lead to more issues like less efficiency, more errors, and just impact the overall success of projects.
2. A work culture that actually cares: Prioritizing mental health allows for companies to have a more positive and supportive work culture. When employees feel seen and supported, they’re more likely to be more engaged, motivated, and loyal. If you have to choose between feeling valued or being in a toxic environment where no one cares about your well-being, the answer is pretty clear. Organizations that ignore the mental health of their employees are generally facing high turnover rates, lower productivity, and are generally just places where people don’t want to work.
3. Breaking down stigmas: Talking about mental health helps get rid of the stigma around it and encourages open communication. There are still so many people that are hesitant to talk about their mental health issues openly because they’re scared they will get judged or treated poorly. Creating a culture where mental health is openly acknowledged and supported leads to having employees that are more likely to seek help when they need it so burnout or other issues can be avoided.
A burnout manager can hurt the whole team
Burnout isn't just a buzzword—it's a real issue that affects many people, sometimes without us even realizing it. Nadia believes that if a manager burns out, the entire team is at risk. Recognizing personal and team limits and establishing boundaries is incredibly important. Therapy and self-awareness are vital tools to support yourself in this process. These resources allowed Nadia to understand her mental health and eventually support her team in a better way and foster a healthier work environment.
Nadia’s leadership style prioritizes a supportive company culture. For her, mental health awareness leads to a more focused and productive team. Effective communication is a major part of how she works.
Here are some ways she creates a positive work environment:
Regular check-ins and direct reports to stay aligned on goals and expectations.
Creating a culture of transparency and accountability.
Building trust through open discussions and mutual support.
Pressure is key for growth (until a certain point)
The tech environment is very fast-paced so the pressure can be overwhelming at times. Nadia emphasizes that a moderate amount of pressure is key for growth, but too much can lead to burnout. Finding this balance is one of the best ways of having a healthy work life.
Nadia finds that being out of your comfort zone, for example, is a key ingredient for growth, though it must be balanced to avoid burnout. She thrives in environments where she feels challenged and pushed to her limits. This mindset, shared by many devs shows a drive to constantly learn and improve, but it has to be controlled; engineers need to understand their limits and when to step back and take a break.
Arol.dev’s mental health approach
At arol.dev, we recognize the hard hours and effort our students put in, and we want to help them succeed to the best of their ability. As a student at arol.dev, you’re provided with:
A free HeadSpace account: Provides meditation and mindfulness resources.
Jump sessions: A break each day to disconnect and prevent burnout.
Supportive community: Fosters positive relationships between peers, alumni and staff members.
Head of Student Experience: Manages students with check-ins and makes sure students are actually taking breaks and taking care of themselves.
Guidance and mentoring: Our instructors know that things can get stressful so they will help you manage challenging situations and remind you about the importance of a work-life balance.
So, now what?
In a world where innovation and progress often come at the expense of well-being, Nadia's story shows that we all have a collective responsibility to prioritize mental health, foster supportive work environments, and embrace authenticity in all its forms.
It all starts with education and awareness. Providing resources, training, and support for mental health in the workplace can help employees understand how important self-care is and recognize signs of struggle in themselves and others.
Investing in these initiatives is not only beneficial for each employee but also for the overall success of the organization. It's about creating a workplace where people enjoy being there and can actually thrive, both personally and professionally.
The next time you encounter a setback, remember Nadia’s advice: understand yourself, advocate for your mental health, and keep moving forward. It’s challenging, but it’s undeniably worthwhile.