May is Mental Health Awareness month, but at FOH®, we are passionate about promoting mental health awareness every day, especially for those in the Food and Beverage Industry. That's why we were excited to participate in this year's MAPP Impact event, which brought together industry leaders to discuss issues related to mental health and wellness.

MAPP Impact is a 501C3 non-profit that supports women-led food organizations, businesses, and programs. The organization hosts an annual conference with top industry professionals to discuss how to build greater awareness of mental health issues faced by people employed in the Food and Beverage Industry and how to better support those who may not have access to insurance or other forms of assistance.

This year's conference focused on topics such as creating a safe space for conversations about mental health, understanding the unique challenges faced by those in the Food and Beverage Industry, and developing strategies for providing support.

Kindred Spirits: Sharing a Common Goal to Promote Mental Health Advocacy

We partnered with MAPP Impact because we share a common goal of promoting mental health awareness and advocating for those who are unable to access resources or insurance. To show our support, we donated sustainable serving items for the event from our Servewise^® collection, including plates and utensils made from eco-friendly materials.

One of the keynote speakers at the event was Chris Shepherd, founder of the Southern Smoke Foundation. His organization offers tools and resources to help people in the industry get access to no-cost mental health services, such as counseling, financial assistance, and job training. It was inspiring to hear him speak about the importance of mental health care and the need to raise awareness of the challenges faced by people in the Food and Beverage Industry.

Just like Chris and the other panelists, which included Chefs Lorena Garcia, Andrew Zimmern, Tiffany Derry, and more, we here at FOH® believe that everyone deserves access to the resources and support they need to live a healthy life. By participating in events like MAPP Impact, we hope to spark conversations and generate awareness about the mental health challenges faced by workers in the Food and Beverage Industry. We are committed to continuing our partnership with MAPP Impact and other organizations like the Southern Smoke Foundation to reduce these challenges and prioritize workers’ health and wellbeing.

Fighting for Everyone’s Right to Mental Health Resources

It's important for us all to remember that mental health issues can affect anyone at any time, and it’s ok to ask for help. However, many people who are struggling never get the care they need, whether because of financial limitations, failing to recognize their symptoms, fear of the stigma associated with counseling, or even a lack of resource awareness. It’s also important for employers in the Food and Beverage Industry to recognize signs of distress among their employees and provide resources for them if needed.

Organizations like MAPP Impact and Southern Smoke Foundation are doing great work to advocate for mental health, but more needs to be done if we want everyone who needs it to have access to resources such as counseling, financial assistance, job training, and more. We must continue to spread awareness about the importance of getting help for those struggling with mental health issues in the Food and Beverage Industry and recognize that these individuals often face unique challenges in getting the care they need and deserve.

By supporting organizations like MAPP Impact and Southern Smoke Foundation, we can make it easier for workers to access the resources they need when facing mental health struggles. Together, we can make a difference and create a more compassionate and supportive industry culture.