By Christy Simo
There’s been a lot of attention focused on mental health care here in Georgia lately, and it’s about time. I’m so glad to see the conversation surrounding issues like anxiety, depression and substance misuse is starting to change. It’s okay to not be okay, and there’s absolutely no shame in seeking out help. We’re all not okay sometimes.
That’s important to say, because those who work in the restaurant industry are more susceptible to these challenges than almost any other industry—the long hours, stress and sheer exhaustion from multiple shifts will take their toll on anyone.
According to one study of 600 hospitality workers in North America, 84% reported experiencing anxiety, 77% suffered from depression, and 63% resorted to disordered eating—going without eating for hours then binging as opposed to eating a meal every few hours.
And according to reports from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the CDC, the restaurant industry is one of the most at-risk for substance misuse. Those working in food prep and food service face a higher rate of overdose deaths than other professions, second only to construction workers.
To encourage more awareness and access to mental health resources in the restaurant community, the Georgia Restaurant Association, in partnership with Giving Kitchen and the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Disabilities, recently launched a new campaign, #86TheStigma.
The campaign aims to boost awareness of the 988 Lifeline, which is a confidential resource offering immediate support and counsel to those in need. If you are in crisis, you just have to call or text 988. There’s no judgment there. Just help.
At 988ga.org/86thestigma, you can also find a wealth of information you can share with your employees, including posters in English and Spanish, as well as a fact sheet, social media toolkit and more. You can request a 988 educator for a community meeting or event and sign up to receive a bunch of swag and info, too.
Sharing this information with your staff is just one step you, as a restaurant owner or manager, can take to support your employees’ mental well-being. But the most important thing you can do is talk about it. Encourage open dialogue and normalize conversations around mental health challenges. Being able to talk about things like depression and suicide ideation without shame or secrecy is so important to reducing the stigma around it.
Share with your staff the signs of mental distress, encourage them to check in with each other, and openly provide resources for anyone who may need more support. By doing such things, you’re creating an environment at your restaurant where seeking help is not only accepted but encouraged.
