At a time when many people are struggling with their psychological well-being, we’re taking a close look at the structural and cultural issues that make restaurant workers especially vulnerable. 

Producer Hannah Fordin starts with the big picture, in conversation with Hassel Aviles co-founder of Not 9 To 5. They look at the restaurant industry and the ways deeply ingrained hierarchies and structures, as well as widely accepted destructive coping methods, need to shift. Then we zoom in, seeking advice from experts like co-hosts of HRN’s Processing, Zahra Tangorra and Bobbie Comforto, as well as Restaurant After Hours’ Zia Sheikh, on how we as individuals can tend to our psychological well-being and what sort of support is out there. 

Resources:

General:

Not 9 To 5

Restaurant After Hours

CHOW

The Restaurant Workers Community Foundation

For free addiction support:

Ben’s Friends

Gay & Sober

Eleanor Health (Offer specific support groups for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals)

Crisis Lines:

 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-8255

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline (888) 843-4564

The Trans Lifeline (877) 565-8860

Free support locating resources:

Black Mental Health Alliance (410) 338-2642

NYC Well offers free and confidential mental health consultations 1-888-NYC-Well or text “Well” to 65173

Low-cost addiction support programs:

Tempest (targeted at folks who identify as female)

The Luckiest Club

Low-cost virtual mental health counseling:

Better Help

Talkspace

Pride Counseling (specifically catering to LGBTQ+ individuals)

Resources for finding a therapist:

Psychology Today

Black Mental Health Alliance

Click here for a guide to alternate nostril breathing, mentioned in the episode.

Have a question you want answered? Email us at [email protected]

This project is funded in part by a Humanities New York CARES Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal CARES Act. 

This program is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.

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