Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service Developed for Foodservice Business Owners

The foodservice industry has always had its challenges, but 2020 brought about one of the most unpredictable, tough times in everyone’s lives. The effects of Covid and the restrictions around it have been felt particularly by the foodservice industry and 2020 saw an unprecedented rise in foodservice workers reaching out for mental health services.

As businesses settle into the new normal of a post-Covid world, managers and owners need to offer support to staff for their mental wellbeing.

Leading national mental health organisation Beyond Blue has recognised the need for the foodservice industry to receive a helping hand. They’ve compiled a return-to-work health guide for hospitality business owners. 

Lead Clinical Advisor At Beyond Blue, Dr Grant Blashki, said that “the foodservice sector is a high-pressure environment to begin with, and Covid has really amplified a lot of the stress – there’s been a triple whammy, in that people are not only worried about their jobs and the viability of their business, they’re also worried about contracting Covid, and thirdly they’ve been trying to get their heads around all the new rules and regulations under which they now have to operate. And to cope with all that while still having to manage the expectations of customers is a big job.”

While advice around Covid is constantly evolving, the Beyond Blue guide is a great starting point for foodservice managers and owners to take a moment to reassess business practices. 

To support your business, the first of foremost point of Beyond Blue’s guide is to remind owners to keep up-to-date and informed on restrictions on their business. Safe Work Australia provides small business owners of all types with information around their safety responsibilities concerning Covid.

To support staff, open, honest and empathetic communication is the name of the game. Beyond Blue advises that checking in with staff regularly on their work-related concerns is crucial for helping ease anxiety. This is especially true for anxiety around job security and health concerns with Covid.

To support your customers, the guide acknowledges that many of your regular patrons may be confused around what they can and can’t do in your establishment. You can help guide customers on changes to hours, updated ways to book, and any regulations they need to follow by keeping open channels of communication across your social media and website.

And finally, the guide reiterates that it’s important to take care of yourself. Avoid the urge to throw yourself completely into your work and make some time for self-care. The guide strongly suggests that managers and business owners access their support network and consider making a wellbeing plan to have a strategy in place to look after your and employee mental health and wellbeing. Some practical tips from Beyond Blue include:

• Try to maintain perspective. 
• Make sure you are accessing accurate information for your situation. 
• Structure your days and establish a routine as best you can. 
• Establish regular sleeping patterns and make sure to get enough rest. 
• Look after your physical health and find a way to stay active. 
• Try something each day that makes you feel good. 
• Participate in exercises that you find relaxing, and perhaps try therapeutic activities such as mindfulness, meditation and yoga.

Beyond Blue a lot of support material available online at beyondblue.com.au, including a whole minisite devoted to Covid which has content about managing every aspect of the pandemic. 

Beyond Blue has also partnered with Financial Counselling Australia to provide free financial advice via its website. Beyond Blue also has a dedicated Covid helpline where you can speak to mental health professionals 24/7 for free. Simply call 1800 512 348.