The Mental Health Toll of Hospitality: What No One Talks About
For years, mental health in hospitality was a topic no one really talked about. The stress, the long hours, the late nights, and the drinking culture were just considered part of the job. If you struggled, you were expected to push through. There was an unspoken rule—this is just how it is.
For a long time, I thought I was fine. I’d hear friends talk about anxiety, burnout, and stress, but I’d never really experienced it myself. Until I did.
When the Pressure Becomes Too Much
After COVID, when everything was uncertain and the pressure of keeping a business alive was overwhelming, it finally caught up with me. One night, mid-shift, I had a full-blown panic attack. I had to leave the venue, step outside, and sit behind a car just to catch my breath.
That was the first time I truly understood what anxiety felt like. Since then, it’s something I’ve had to learn to manage. And I know I’m not alone.
Hospitality is an industry that takes its toll in ways most people don’t see. You finish work at 3 AM, grab a drink to unwind, sleep as late as possible before the next shift, and then do it all over again. People say, “Look after yourself—get a good night’s sleep, eat well, stay active.” But when you’re working long, unpredictable shifts in a high-pressure environment, those things aren’t always an option.
A Moment That Changed My Perspective
I remember one Saturday night, not long after opening Ojo Rojo. We had been flat out for months, pushing through endless busy shifts. The team was exhausted, but they kept going because that’s what we do in hospitality.
At the end of one particularly brutal night, I walked into the kitchen and saw chefs just sitting on the floor, heads in their hands, completely drained. They looked up at me like they’d just run a marathon—but they never had the chance to pace themselves. That moment stuck with me. It was a clear reminder of how much this job can take from you—physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Why Mental Health Struggles Are Common in Hospitality
If you look at the best advice for maintaining good mental health, it often includes things like:
• Getting consistent sleep
• Staying physically active
• Avoiding alcohol and drugs
• Eating a balanced diet
• Maintaining a structured routine
Now compare that to the reality of hospitality work:
• Shifts that start late and finish in the early hours
• Unwinding with drinks after work because it’s the culture
• Erratic sleep schedules that leave you constantly exhausted
• High-stress environments where you’re juggling multiple pressures at once
• Difficult customers, unpredictable workloads, and an industry that never slows down
It’s a perfect storm for burnout, anxiety, and depression. And yet, for a long time, it was never really acknowledged.
So, What Can We Do?
Some things in hospitality will never change. The long hours, the high-pressure shifts, and the unpredictable nature of the job will always be part of the industry.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t do something to improve the culture.
We need to start checking in on each other. We need to support the venues that prioritise their staff’s well-being. And most importantly, we need to recognise that the price of food and drink isn’t just about ingredients—it’s about ensuring staff are paid fairly, work in better conditions, and aren’t constantly running on empty.
The Importance of Awareness
There are some great organisations working to change the conversation around mental health in hospitality, such as The Burnt Chef Project and Light On. They’re making real progress in raising awareness and providing support, but change starts with all of us.
So, next time you’re out at a restaurant or bar, take a second to think about the people serving you. They might be struggling more than you realise.
And a little kindness can go a long way.
If you’ve worked in hospitality, I’d love to hear your thoughts. How do you manage the stress of the industry? Let’s start the conversation. Drop your thoughts in the comments!
Like what you’ve read?
Head to trevorhill.kit.com/mailinglist and grab my free ebook: The Four Pillars – A Sanity Manual for Hospitality Owners. It’s a short, honest guide to the four areas that helped me rebuild after burnout, with practical advice and real-world tools to help you take back control.