Wellness Village
Saturday, September 6, 2025 from 10am to 6pm CT
Sunday, September 7, 2025 from 10am to 3pm CT
The Wellness Village will be ran by Mental Health Hackers, a 501(c)(3) organization.
The Mental Health Hacker’s (MHH) mission is to educate tech professionals about the unique mental health risks faced by those in our field – and often by the people who we share our lives with – and provide guidance on reducing their effects and better manage the triggering causes. This will be done through numerous talks and speakers conducted within the village during the conference. There will also be fun activities, crafts, coloring, and more to help you reduce stress and take a mental break from the conference activities and attendees.
MHH also aims at providing support services to those who may be susceptible to related mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, social isolation, eating disorders, etc.
Please understand that MHH does not provide counseling or therapy services.
Their website can be found at https://www.mentalhealthhackers.org/.
Wellness Talks
Saturday, September 6, 2025
11:00am – 12:00pm CT
When Red Flags Are Hidden in Code: Spotting Abuse in Tech Spaces – Dr. Gregory Carpenter
Cybersecurity professionals work in high-pressure environments where isolation, long hours, and blurred work-life boundaries are common. These conditions can make it harder to recognize and respond to abusive relationships—whether personal, professional, or digital. This talk offers practical tools to help identify red flags of abuse, including coercive control, digital surveillance, and workplace manipulation. I will cover how abuse presents differently in technical fields, how to document and respond safely, and what resources exist for support. The goal is to equip cyber professionals with the awareness and language to protect themselves and others in their networks, both online and offline.
Saturday, September 6, 2025
2:00pm – 3:00pm CT
Balancing the Scales: Managing Mental Health in Cybersecurity – Patrick Kelley
Cybersecurity professionals are facing unprecedented levels of stress, leading to significant mental health challenges. This paper explores the multifaceted pressures within the cybersecurity industry, including imposter syndrome, sleep deprivation, and concentration difficulties. It examines the systemic nature of these stressors, highlighting the prevalence of burnout and the lack of psychological safety in the field. Through a comprehensive analysis, this presentation provides insight into the mental health vulnerabilities unique to cybersecurity professionals, and offers practical strategies for prevention and coping. By addressing these issues, we aim to foster a healthier, more sustainable work environment for those on the front lines of digital defense.
Saturday, September 6, 2025
4:00pm – 5:00pm CT
Demystifying Counseling – Investigatorchic
Everyone faces mental struggles at some point in their lives, some more than others. Counseling can be a fantastic way to work through these challenges. Though the introduction of some personal stories, Investigatorchic will discuss what therapy actually entails and what it does not, in order to dispel commonly held myths. In addition, information will be provided about different kinds of counseling and how to select a counselor that can be most helpful for a particular situation/concern.
Massage Therapy @ The Wellness Village
We’re bringing back massage therapy in the Wellness Village this year! Two experienced massage therapists will be offering 10-minute massages from 10am to 3pm CT on Saturday, September 6th. Massages are first come, first serve.
9 Bridge Challenge with Chief Wellness Officer, Matthew Abahazi
Join Mental Health Hackers’ Chief Wellness officer, Matthew Abahazi, on the inaugural 9 Bridge Challenge the morning of Sunday, September 7th and enjoy a scenic run of approximately 4.5 miles.
To participate, meet just outside the parking roundabout at 7:45am CT – Strava and paper maps will be provided.
