National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
No matter what problems you are dealing with, we want to help you find a reason to keep living. By calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7. suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Crisis Text Line
Crisis Text Line is a United States not-for-profit organization providing free crisis intervention via SMS message. The organization’s services are available 24 hours a day every day, throughout the US by texting 741741 or Canada by texting 686868. It is available internationally via their Facebook page. crisistextline.org and facebook.com/crisistextline
Chefs With Issues Facebook Community
Need to talk with someone who gets it? There are nearly 3000 of us who are happy to listen. facebook.com/groups/chefswithissues/
National Alliance on Mental Illness
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. nami.org
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities. samhsa.gov
Fair Kitchens
#FairKitchens is a movement of chefs supporting chefs to inspire a new kitchen culture. Cooking is a language we’re fluent in, and our passion for food is what makes this industry great. To keep that flame alive, we’re proposing a kitchen culture that’s kinder and more open than the one we know. fairkitchens.com
I Got Your Back
Let’s “86” mental health stigma. In hospitality we are family. Let’s do what it takes to make that family stronger and healthier. We have your back. igotyourback.info
A Balanced Glass
A Balanced Glass is a forum to connect global wine and beverage alcohol professionals to share ways to navigate a wine career while maintaining wellness. abalancedglass.com
The Heirloom Foundation
The Heirloom Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that brings culinary professionals together to raise awareness and funds for youth development programming in the communities where we work. Eligible organizations may apply for grants and, if awarded, attend the annual Family Meal event which brings together grantees with contributing chefs. theheirloomfoundation.org
Healthy Hospo
Healthy Hospo is a Community Interest Company with a lifelong passion for hospitality. We exist to provide information, advice, support, and training on all aspects of mental and physical health to build a healthier, happier, and stronger hospitality industry.
Working with hospitality focused individuals, businesses, groups, and organisations along with renowned experts from the fields of health, nutrition, exercise and beyond, we develop bespoke solutions for the specific needs of those who operate within the hospitality industry. healthyhospo.com
Restaurant Recovery
As with most illnesses, addiction impacts not only the individual, but loved ones and family members as well. As a non-profit 501(c3), Restaurant Recovery helps career restaurant workers find and pay for drug & alcohol treatment centers, and will help loved ones find the counseling they need (or the means to attend family programs). restaurantrecovery.org
Christy Harrison
Christy Harrison, MPH, RD, CDN is a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified Intuitive Eating counselor in private practice, specializing in nutrition therapy for eating disorders and Health at Every Size.
christyharrison.com/about/
REGIONAL RESOURCES
Ben’s Friends (South and Minneapolis)
Ben’s Friends is the food and beverage industry support group offering hope, fellowship, and a path forward to professionals who struggle with substance abuse and addiction.
Founded in honor of Ben Murray, a lifelong chef who took his own life after struggling with alcoholism for years, Ben’s Friends exists to provide a safe haven and an anonymous, judgment-free forum for workers in an industry that has one of the highest rates of substance abuse in the country. bensfriendshope.com
Brain Food (New Orleans)
We are a community of hospitality workers advocating for the mental wellness of the service industry. We seek to enable access to affordable mental health care for all those in the service industry. We endeavor to create outlets for discussion of mental health and well being outside of bar rooms, and strive to create a positive change in the industry to foster sustainable mental wellness. facebook.com/groups/2064964057158064/
Big Table (Seattle)
Big Table exists to see the lives of those working in the restaurant and hospitality industry transformed by building community around shared meals and caring for those who are in crisis, transition, or falling through the cracks. This community and care are open to all in the industry without condition. big-table.com
CHOW – Colorado Hospitality Outreach & Wellness (Colorado)
We started CHOW (Colorado Hospitality Outreach & Wellness) to have free, industry-only gatherings for Denver restaurant staff to hang out and discuss the struggles of life inside and outside of the kitchen. This group is a place to continue those in-person conversations online. facebook.com/groups/choworg/
The Giving Kitchen (Atlanta)
The Giving Kitchen provides emergency assistance grants for Atlanta area restaurant workers facing an unanticipated hardship. thegivingkitchen.org
FarmNet (New York State)
The mission of NY FarmNet is to provide New York farm families with free, confidential consulting services to develop skills to improve financial and production efficiency, and overcome business and family challenges. nyfarmnet.org
Hospitality Action (UK)
Established in 1837 Hospitality Action, the Hospitality Industry Benevolent Organisation, has offered vital assistance to all who work, or have worked within hospitality in the UK and who find themselves in crisis. hospitalityaction.org.uk
Louisiana Hospitality Foundation (New Orleans)
The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation provides financial assistance and guidance to members of the hospitality industry during times of crisis, which is a core part of our mission. The Foundation raises funds through our signature fundraising events and other contributions, manages the application process for crisis assistance, and provides the administrative and financial services necessary to support the accounting and tracking of funds distributed.
Qualified applicants must be currently employed in the hospitality industry, and also working and living in Louisiana. Louisiana Hospitality Foundation
Working for Change (Canada)
Working for Change (formerly the Ontario Council of Alternative Businesses) was established in 1994 to respond to the need for employment opportunities for people with mental health issues. Since opening our catering company, the Raging Spoon, in 1997, we have developed five additional social enterprises that provide employment to people with mental health issues. workingforchange.ca
This is an ongoing list of resources for people in physical or mental crisis. Please share additional links with kat at chefswithissues dot com and I’ll explore and possibly include them. Note: For-profit recovery resources will not be considered.