It’s time to prioritise mental health in the workplace.
World Mental Health Day 2024 on 10 October, arrives at a critical time for the hospitality industry.
Recent findings from Hospitality Action’s Taking the Temperature survey reveal a troubling rise in mental health challenges among hospitality workers, with 76% of industry professionals now reporting mental health issues at some point in their careers. The combined pressures of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis have intensified these struggles, with nearly 49% experiencing mental health challenges in the past two years.
‘Prioritising mental health in the workplace’ is the theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day, putting the focus squarely on creating supportive environments where employees can thrive.
While Hospitality Action’s survey reveals some startling statistics, many parts of the industry are taking mental health and wellbeing seriously. Here we have gathered insights from key figureheads across hospitality to find out what the challenges are and what they and their organisations are doing to encourage a healthier, more supportive environment for all.
Mark Lewis, chief executive at Hospitality Action:
“Despite recent progress in reducing the stigma associated with mental health and wellbeing, our 2024 survey revealed an unprecedented rise in the proportion of hospitality workers reporting mental health issues in their careers, rising from just over half (56%) in 2018, to more than three-quarters (76%) in 2024.
“It’s never been more important to get the right help and support to our people and this must start with employers. Thankfully, many simple yet impactful steps can be taken to nurture a positive culture to create an environment where staff wellbeing is a priority. From the provision of a mental health first aider and wellbeing champion to a change in shift patterns to support work-life balance – these are easy things to implement and can make a meaningful difference.
“An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – an excellent way to offer employees confidential, professional support across a variety of issues – and initiatives like Walk for Wellbeing, taking place this year on 13 October, offer impactful tools for employers to prioritise their own wellbeing and that of their teams.
“Practical steps such as these can be worth their weight in gold, and we urge employers up and down the country to take action today. After all, the health and happiness of our colleagues is critical to the success and sustainability of our fun and dynamic industry.”
Martin MacPhail, HR director at RBH Hospitality Management
“Embedding mental health and wellbeing into our core business and people strategy is fundamental to our success as one of the leading hospitality management companies in the UK. Hospitality thrives on human connection, both with guests and within our teams, so ensuring that our people are mentally fit and supported is not just the right thing to do – it’s essential to delivering the high standards of service our industry is known for.
“Through initiatives like our Giving Something Back programme and training 277 RBH Mental Health Champions, we’re working hard to set a standard within the sector, highlighting how a people-first approach directly enhances operational excellence and overall guest satisfaction.
“Our RBH Tree of Life Gold Leaf Standard promotes mental, physical, and social wellbeing across all hotels and central offices. Mental health is a complex topic and these three areas crucially intertwine, so nutrition, activeness and our financial wellbeing services all play a critical part in the overall health of our workforce.
“We recently reached our fundraising target of £75k for Mental Health UK, which is all thanks to having the company-wide buy-in from employees who truly believe in the cause and have got stuck in to raise funds and awareness. For a sector that often faces challenges in maintaining a stable workforce, it is absolutely necessary to invest in employees’ mental health to ensure staff retention and engagement.”
Amanda Hall, head of talent and organisational development, Clermont Hotel Group:
“It is imperative that the hospitality industry takes the time to understand the unique mental and physical pressures team members in the industry face, as well as understanding personal challenges they may be facing beyond the workplace, and this is something that is very close to our hearts at Clermont Hotel Group. Mental health is, and should always be, a daily priority and we have worked hard in the last few years to ensure we have a qualified team of Mental Health First Aiders in all areas of our business to support our colleagues. We work hard to support our people every step of the way, whether through enhanced policies surrounding menopausal support, maternity and paternity benefits and life balance, or simply being there during life’s unexpected challenges.
“Our ESG programme continues to be a key investment for us, including an ‘Empowering our People’ pillar providing both professional and personal support, ensuring every voice is heard through surveys and forums, with regular mindfulness workshops and discussion groups. Ultimately, we know that happy, fulfilled and supported employees make all the difference to our culture, and so by taking care of our team, we’re building the foundations for a strong, positive environment, putting them in the best possible position to deliver an exceptional experience to the guests who visit our hotels.”
Majid Fadra MIH, group director of human resources, Foxhills Club & Resort:
“The core values of Foxhills are to ‘make you feel better when you leave than when you arrived’ and ‘where you belong’, and this is something that applies equally to our colleagues and guests. We work in a thriving and a busy industry with service at its heart, and it is therefore core to our business to promote a culture where balance is important. This means flexible working patterns, generous leave policies and bespoke contracts to suit personal needs, as well as engagement initiatives such as parties, awards nights, long service dinners and even an annual sports meet.
“Every colleague who works here – whether they are part time, full time or on a casual contract – are given a full Country Club membership to use the leisure and wellness facilities on offer, and we encourage everyone to take part in fitness classes and to get involved in the over 200 activities available at the resort. After one year of service, the membership is also extended to the colleague’s spouse / partner and their children. To add to this, we also provide a complimentary night’s stay at the resort on each work anniversary. Our business is all about active wellness – and it is imperative that all colleagues get the opportunity to use the resort’s facilities to provide balance and encourage wellbeing for them, too.
“We also work closely with Hospitality Action and all members of our team have access to a 24/7 wellbeing helpline that can assist anyone facing mental, financial or other health and wellbeing concerns. This is supplemented by our wellbeing hub, provided in partnership with Reward Gateway, which offers an holistic suite of options and bundles on the themes of ‘Move, Munch, Money and Mind’ to promote a happy and a healthy lifestyle. It encompasses elements such as free tutorials and video libraries on fitness sessions, healthy recipes, a wide network of gym options with exclusive membership discounts, and other financial and mental health tools. This is all available as a free benefit for everyone working with Foxhills.
“This year we collaborated with The Burnt Chef Project and have trained 16 colleagues as Mental Health Wellbeing Champions to ensure there is always someone around to assist when needed, in the workplace.”
Austin Eaton, head of marketing at Clean the World Europe and UK:
“CSR initiatives, such as CTW Events who provide CSR events and team building solutions for businesses, offer meaningful opportunities for employees to give back to their communities, resulting in enhanced feelings of achievement and a deeper sense of purpose in their professional lives. Volunteerism, in particular, has proven to have a profound positive impact on mental health, supporting the social and occupational elements of wellness. When employees are given the chance to come together, and participate in initiatives that make a difference, they experience a boost in morale and job satisfaction. CTW Events has engaged with over 290,000 attendees globally through their events programme, with volunteers who truly buy into their values and vision to offer extraordinary team-building experiences that purposefully engage participants and positively impact the communities where they live, work, and play.
“The sense of fulfilment that comes from contributing to a greater cause helps to alleviate stress, encourages teamwork, and enhances a company’s culture of care. By encouraging employees to engage in CSR activities, companies can cultivate a supportive environment where mental health is valued as much as performance, ultimately benefiting both individuals and the organisation as a whole.”
Sarah Ainsworth, chief executive officer, Central Hall Venues:
“We work in a busy and sometimes pressured industry that can take its toll on our mental and physical health if neither are kept in check. We spend a third of our adult life at work so we at Central Hall Venues believe employers have a responsibility to make the workplace as supportive as possible.
“To ensure health and wellbeing remains at the forefront, and our team continues to receive appropriate support while at work, earlier this year we launched a dedicated Health and Wellbeing Team, one of five new cross-departmental focus groups.
“Made up of eight members, the Health and Wellbeing Team aims to support colleagues physically, emotionally, and mentally. Initiatives, already implemented by the group at Central Hall Westminster, for example, include holding a mental health day and distributing a mental health survey to staff to help identify areas where we can offer further improvement / support.
“These initiatives are in addition to the ongoing support already available, including an employee assistance programme and Mental Health First Aiders trained through St John’s Ambulance. They are available for anyone to meet with for confidential chats and signposting, with monthly drop-in sessions planned for the future.
“In our recent survey, we scored an overall 3.95 out of 5 for the level of health and wellbeing at Central Hall Westminster; we are encouraged by this and strive to ensure good mental health and wellbeing remains at the heart of our operation. We look forward to the World Mental Health Awareness Day in October 2024 as an opportunity for us to engage with our team.”
Rafael Azzopardi, head of events at Regent’s Events:
“I’ve seen firsthand the intense demands that hospitality and events professionals face, from long hours to the pressure of delivering flawless experiences for every guest. More than ever, it’s crucial that we acknowledge the mental health challenges faced by our industry and take proactive steps to address them. Mental health isn’t just a personal concern — it’s a collective responsibility that affects the wellbeing of our teams, the satisfaction of our clients, and the success of our business.
“As we conclude our busiest season of events, we’re diving into the relationship between wellness and mental health as a key factor in event planning and are currently designing a dedicated wellness package for delegates through partnerships with accredited and professionally trained experts. Our venue is set up to help guests reconnect with nature through outdoor meetings, wellness activities, and scheduled breaks in our serene garden areas. Research consistently shows that spending time outdoors can reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance cognitive function. By incorporating these elements into our event packages, we aim to create an environment where creativity can flourish and stress is minimised, ensuring that every event is not just successful, but also supportive of the mental wellbeing of both staff and attendees.”
Jacqui Greet, CSR Manager, Ascot Racecourse:
“To ensure the wellbeing of both our workforce and customers, we prioritise mental health support through various internal and external initiatives at Ascot, which serve a dual purpose to benefit guests and employees alike. As our employees are actively involved in supporting these projects, their participation helps raise awareness and supports a deeper understanding of mental health to create a more inclusive, supportive environment.
“Customer-centric activities such as meet-and-greets with Side Glance – our equine ambassador – to offer equine therapy for those suffering with dementia offers many benefits including improving nonverbal communication skills and boosting confidence. Having Side Glance interact with people facing mental health challenges has proven hugely successful at events we hosted within the community.
“Another example is hosting the Berkshire Healthcare Trust Charity Bus to raise awareness and funds for mental health support in the region, particularly fundraising for a new cardio wall for their inpatient mental health hospital.
“Events such as these help our employees identify and respond to signs of stress or mental health challenges, whether their own, that of their peers or our customers. By intertwining employee engagement with customer-focused initiatives, we aim to create a holistic approach to mental health that supports our entire Ascot community.”
Clare Arouche, head of hospitality & events at the National Gallery:
“Inspired creativity – whether immersing yourself in a creative process such as painting, or appreciating the creative efforts of others – has a recognised positive impact on mental health. Getting lost in a creative act or taking time out to admire artistic works can help alleviate stress and anxiety because they distract us from our worries and concerns.
“Working amongst the world’s greatest art and being encouraged to connect with, and appreciate and respect it as part of the event delivery means creativity and enrichment are embedded in the culture at The National Gallery. Providing an environment where creativity and mindfulness can thrive in synchrony therefore promotes better mental health within our team, too.”
Jack Marczewski, portfolio event director at Northstar Meetings Group
“Having personal experience of the pressures of event delivery and how that can affect your mental health, I feel it is so important to ensure we keep mental health and wellbeing at the forefront of The Meetings Show. It’s why we have teamed up with the amazing wellbeing not-for-profit EventWell for the last four years.
“This fantastic organisation runs a free Wellbeing Hub at the show, including a Quiet Room – a calm space offering sanctuary to anyone who needs it – and a Wellbeing Bar hosting breathing and yoga sessions.
“EventWell Hosts, who are trained in mental health first aid and neurodiversity awareness, are available over the two days to support visitors while they are at the show. They also provide top tips and support for self-care and self-help, so that event professionals can manage stress and feel less overwhelmed when they are back in the office or working onsite at their own events.”
