R U OK?Day lands on Thursday 12 September this year, and hospitality staff, managers and owners are encouraged to check in with each other – not just once a year, but any day.
“We see an increase in supporting behaviours around R U OK?Day, our National Day of Action,” said R U OK? CEO Katherine Newton.
“However, we know life happens every day. Our message to all those living in Australia is don’t wait; Ask R U OK? any day because a meaningful conversation can change a life.”
R U OK? Day is a national day of action run to encourage friends, family members, colleagues, partners or teammates to check in with each other’s mental health.
The organisation provides a platform of resources, specifically for hospitality staff, to highlight the importance of supporting struggling workmates, and give tips on how to have a meaningful conversation.
“R U OK? is working with the hospitality sector to find better ways to ensure the industry is equipped to handle the pressures that come with what is an exciting, yet demanding, workplace,” says Julie-Anne Whitfield, Workplace Engagement Manager at R U OK?
The day comes at a particularly poignant time for hospitality staff, with large hospitality groups recently coming under fire for not supporting their staff through reports of sexual assault.
Chefs in the industry are also experiencing significant mental health issues, with research showing those in the profession are significantly more likely to commit suicide than the general population. Additionally, current economic struggles are putting mental health pressure on owners, operators, and staff.
In July this year, the NSW Government acknowledged mental health issues in the hospitality industry with a one-off contribution of $250,000 to help the Raising the Bar Foundation design and deliver The Barstool Project. The custom mental health training package is aimed at helping employees in the hospitality and tourism industry in NSW.
“We know that over two in five (44%) Australians over 16 are estimated to have experienced a mental illness at some point in their life,” said Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park.
“It highlights the need for a concerted effort from the NSW Government and industry leaders … to ensure that people are equipped to stay mentally healthy and that they feel comfortable reaching out for help if they are struggling.”
“Providing people in the hospitality and tourism sectors with the skills they need to identify mental health and wellbeing issues will not only benefit their colleagues but also help their customers as well,” said the Member for Wollongong Paul Scully.
Ruok.org.au provides free tips and tools to build a R U OK? Culture across your year.
Lifeline provides free and confidential crisis support at any time of day or night. Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14, or chat online at lifeline.org.au.
13YARN is a free 24/7 service offering crisis support for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people. Call 13YARN (13 92 76).
Laura Box
