Dining out has a way of bringing people together. It’s where birthdays sparkle, budding romance blooms, business deals strike, and old friends reunite. And those restaurants, cafés, breweries and neighborhood diners are also woven into the fabric of everyday life: where we gather after a long hike, cheer on our favorite teams, or simply enjoy a night out with family.
But every dining experience has other stories behind the scenes.
There’s the cook who has been on their feet since before lunch service. The server balancing multiple tables while making each guest feel welcome. The dishwasher who keeps the kitchen moving. The bartender who remembers your favorite drink. The manager filling in wherever they’re needed to keep everything running smoothly.
Hospitality workers help create spaces where the rest of us can connect.
Who is creating space for them?
An industry built on caring for others
Working in restaurants can be rewarding. It’s creative, fast-paced and deeply social. Hospitality professionals take pride in their work — but it can take a toll.
Like many professions built around caring for others, restaurant workers often feel pressure to keep smiling, keep moving, and push through difficult days.
The numbers reflect what many in the industry already know from experience. A 2021 study showed that roughly 6 in 10 restaurant servers report at least one mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety. And according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, food service workers experience some of the highest rates of substance use disorders of any profession.
Mental health challenges don’t disappear when someone puts on an apron or steps behind the line. They’re simply easier to hide.
Belonging matters in every workplace
At NAMI Colorado Springs, we believe belonging is one of the most powerful protective factors for mental health. Feeling seen. Feeling valued. Knowing someone notices when you’re struggling. That’s why it’s so important for our food industry workers to experience those protective factors.
Creating healthier workplaces doesn’t always begin with sweeping policy changes. Sometimes it begins with coworkers checking in on one another, managers encouraging conversations about well-being, or teams fostering a culture where asking for help is viewed as a sign of strength instead of weakness.
No one should feel they have to struggle in silence simply because they’re expected to take care of everyone else.
Supporting our hospitality community
Support groups, educational programs and community resources can help hospitality workers navigate their particular pressures of shift work, customer-facing stress, and an industry culture that doesn’t always make room for vulnerability.
We’re also excited to see the hospitality industry building its own dedicated support. Colorado-based CHOW (Culinary Hospitality Outreach and Wellness) was created specifically to support the mental health and well-being of people working in food, beverage and hospitality. Their peer connection and industry-specific resources are a great complement to what NAMI offers.
“When we invest in the well-being of food/beverage/hospitality workers, we’re investing in the heart of every community they serve,” says CHOW’s Jasmin Parks-Papadopolous. “At CHOW, we believe mental health support is an essential ingredient for a sustainable workforce.”
Hospitality workers can also turn to the Colorado Restaurant Foundation’s Health & Wellness Resource Center, which supports the industry with mental health resources and wellness programs. While this benefit is currently paused, it has in the past also given small grants to eligible workers seeking mental health care. (Additional “hardship resources” can be found here.)
Whether someone finds support through a coworker, a peer group, NAMI, CHOW or another trusted resource, every conversation helps build a stronger community.
How we can all help
Most of us interact with hospitality workers at least once per week. While we may only spend an hour in a restaurant or a few minutes picking up an order, the way we treat the people serving us can leave a lasting impression.
A little patience during a busy dinner rush. A genuine smile. A heartfelt “thank you.” Learning someone’s name. Recognizing great service. Extending grace when things don’t go exactly as planned. These aren’t just acts of courtesy — they’re reminders that every person deserves to be treated with dignity, kindness and respect. We never know what someone else may be carrying.
"When we invest in the well-being of food/beverage/hospitality workers, we're investing in the heart of every community they serve. At CHOW, we believe mental health support is an essential ingredient for a sustainable workforce."
Colorado Springs is known for its welcoming spirit. From locally owned cafés to family restaurants and neighborhood breweries, hospitality workers help make our city feel like home for residents and visitors. Let’s make sure they experience that same sense of belonging.
The next time you enjoy a meal out, take a moment to thank the people who made that experience possible. A small act of kindness may not solve someone’s challenges, but it can remind them they’re seen.
And if you work in the hospitality industry: Please know you’re not alone. Contact us to learn more about our free support groups and resources, or to find the right connection for you.
Because the people who spend their days caring for our community deserve a community that cares for them, too.