Despair behind the smile: Half of hospitality workers suffer from mental health issues | UK | News

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By Maya Cantina

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Despite the high-octane energy that greets customers at our favorite restaurants, hotels and bars, statistics reveal that behind this cheerful customer service is a sector of workers at high risk of mental health issues and suicide.

Today, on World Suicide Prevention Day, R;applesuicide prevention charity reveals the unrecognized mental health crisis affecting the hospitality sector, after speaking to thousands of chefs, bartenders, receptionists and waiters across the UK.

New statistics reveal that a shocking 59% of hospitality workers are experiencing mental health issues while at work, with more than half having had thoughts of suicide, self-harm or other negative and damaging thoughts. This means that most of us will have come face to face with someone having a mental health crisis while they are happily serving customers.

Despite their pretense of being happy, more than half (55%) of respondents who have or have had mental health issues admit they have also browsed harmful content online at work, with two-thirds of hospitality workers (66%) identifying workplace stress and working conditions as key contributing issues.

OR;pple, a digital crisis intervention tool that has intercepted over 50,000 harmful searches, is campaigning for change in partnership with Revolution Bars Group and has launched the R;pple tool for its employees, alongside The Burnt Chef Project – a mental health education and support community for the hospitality industry.

OR;pple is asking employers to sign its five commitments, such as mandatory suicide prevention training, so that employers commit to making positive changes and protecting their workforce.

Alice Hendy MBE, founder of R;pple, said: “Most of us interact regularly with people in hospitality without any knowledge of the mental health crisis they may be facing, so these statistics are a stark reminder of the need for change. The positive news is that mental health stigma is decreasing, but we still find that only around half of those who are concerned about a colleague encourage them to speak up. We need to ensure that everyone working in a highly impacted sector like hospitality is protected by their employers in the online workplace, in the same way that their health and safety is protected physically.”

Alongside Revolution Bars and The Burnt Chef Project, R;pple will also host a panel discussion and Q&A to spark conversation and change and help reduce the stigma around suicide. Taking place on 30th September in central London, keynote speakers will include Alice Hendy MBE (R;pple), Kris Hall (The Burnt Chef Project), Danielle James (Revolution Bars Group PLC) and others to be announced who have faced their own mental health crisis in the industry with powerful stories to tell.

For more information about R;pple’s World Suicide Prevention Day Campaign and to sign the five commitments for your business, visit https://www.ripplesuicideprevention.com/get-involved/hospitality-pledge

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