Smart Serve Ontario has launched a campaign to combat mental health issues within the hospitality sector.
The “Smart Serves Care” initiative has been developed in collaboration with Not 9 to 5, a non-profit dedicated to the mental well-being of hospitality workers, and GreenShield. It will offer free mental health services and education to individuals with an active Smart Serve certificate.
Amidst a backdrop of financial strain in the post-pandemic era, Canada’s food service industry, serving nearly 22 million Canadians daily, sees a significant impact on the mental health of its workers, it said. High burnout rates are prevalent, with a disturbing increase in substance use issues among employees.
Gyan Chandra, Board Chair of Smart Serve Ontario, highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, “The hospitality industry has faced unrelenting pressure, triggering a concerning rise in mental health and substance use challenges among hospitality workers. By partnering with innovative non-profit organizations like Not 9 to 5 and GreenShield, we are strategically connecting leading experts in both the hospitality and health sectors to deliver critical resources and solutions to an industry in dire need of support.”
Research from Not 9 to 5 reveals alarming statistics: 87% of front-line food and beverage staff experience burnout, with 77% suffering from depression and 84% from anxiety. Despite these challenges, only 38% seek professional help, often deterred by financial constraints.
The Smart Serve Cares campaign offers several resources to tackle these issues, including three hours of free virtual mental health counselling through GreenShield Health, online access to a Digital CBT program, and unlimited access to educational materials on GreenShield’s digital health platform.
Hassel Aviles, Executive Director of Not 9 to 5, emphasized the benefits of investing in mental health programs: “Investing in hospitality mental health programs benefits staff, employers, and clients; and ultimately, costs less than doing nothing. With Smart Serve Cares, the industry now has access to resources at no cost to hospitality employers and employees alike.”
Additionally, the initiative provides Smart Serve certificate holders with access to Not 9 to 5’s online hospitality workplace mental health certification, CNECTed, which educates participants on psychological safety and harm reduction.
Joe Blomeley, Executive Vice President at GreenShield, remarked on the broader implications of supporting mental health in the workplace: “Today, many hospitality workers don’t have the resources or employer coverage to meet their mental health needs. Through this powerful partnership, we’re able to fill this gap by providing hospitality workers across the province with free access to the mental health support they deserve.”
The Smart Serve Cares campaign is set to begin in May 2024, aiming to empower hospitality workers to prioritize their mental well-being with the necessary tools and resources to navigate the industry’s challenges