Working in hospitality: Does it really affect your mental health?

By Olivia Snaith-Cairns

According to research from The Royal Society for Public health (RSPH), ‘one in five hospitality workers suffer from work-related severe mental health issues. They stated that ‘84% of those working in hospitality attributed feeling increased stress as a direct result of their job’, and as result of this, ‘45% of respondents said would not recommend working in hospitality.

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Matt Porter, 24, expressed that working in hospitality is the most flexible job and that it is good for students as they can work around their study days and availability. However, he also said that ‘weekends are the most likely to be working days so can affect your social life’.

“Due to stressful situations like customers being rude, especially not having the right support, can bring a person down and cause depression,” explained the young Supervisor. “I got burn-out from working too much while at a restaurant. It affected my depression more.”

Other important ‘key findings’ from the RSPH research, as stated on its website, are:

· 62% do not think the hospitality sector takes care of its employees

· 74% have experienced verbal abuse from a customer

· 24% required medical or psychological help

Another significant factor from RSPH, is that only ‘10% had received training to support health and wellbeing, or access to mentoring, health champions or mental health first aiders’.

Another person who works in hospitality is Amelie Hill. This young supervisor works at a bar in Soho, London, and she is also a full-time university student. Hill explained that working in hospitality offers lots of essential people skills that are important for developing through life and especially when meeting new people, you don’t know in university.

“Hospitality can be a very young people-oriented industry which is great for social aspect to young people’s lives and proving them with a fun ‘hobby’ whilst being paid at the same time,” said the 19-year-old. “However, I wouldn’t recommend working in industry as its very tiring and overworking. As a young student who is also studying at the same time, this could be a great danger and cause extreme tiredness meaning effort into their degree may not be at its highest potential.”

Supporting others

There are many ways to support staff who have/is experiencing a mental health problem. Mind has suggested some ways in which you can help:

· Be Positive

· Work together and involve people in finding solutions

· Extra support including increased supervision, extra training, and encouraging employees to be more aware of their mental state and reflecting on what factors affect it

Photo Credit: Dustin Belt via Unsplash

“As a manager, it is very hard to directly support staff when working as you have so many things/so many people to think about to make sure your venue runs smoothly, and tasks are being complete. Support can definitely be provided more through HR resources as it should be in any company,” said Hill.

“You can then support your staff by reminding them of this and referring them to the right people as you yourself are not a counsellor or going to solve their problems through your own profession.”

Hill also expressed that being a ‘friendly and open’ person contributes and at ease in their own work environment. “Creating a safe and caring work zone will be a key aspect to making staff feel supported and not alone.”

There is also an important website to also note which is Hospitality Action. This site also gives a range of advice, alongside helplines, events, and ways to donate. There are also courses that offer training to anyone that wants more knowledge.

Porter also said that having a 3rd party would be useful in supporting people. “Having a 24/7 contact therapist, or a close friend at work and out of work would definitely help someone who are struggling.”

Mental Health supportive helplines included:

· Hospitality Action Helpline (24/7)

· SANEline (4:30-10:30pm)

· Samaritans (24/7)