Fund supports mental health and wellness for hospitality workers

The life of a hospitality worker can be hard. It typically involves long, sometimes irregular hours; working weekends and evenings; constant pressure; lack of health insurance; and a focus on the needs of others rather than one’s own. Add in ready access to alcohol, and the combination too often results in depression, anxiety and burnout.

In 2022, La Vida Hospitality launched a unique program, Celebrate Wellness, that aims to provide mental health resources for workers in the hospitality industry. It is dedicated to improving mental health for hospitality workers through education, access to resources and financial aid for professional therapy.

By 2024, Celebrate Wellness had evolved into an independent nonprofit entity. According to program manager Kathy McDonald, 65 individuals were referred to resources, and local restaurant employees received 168 hours of therapy during 2024. Workers were made aware of the program through word of mouth, a website and postings at places of work.

The first 10 sessions of therapy are provided at no cost, with mental health practices that are vetted through the program and open to billing outside the norm. Funding for the program comes through donations, sponsorships and two events, and it is managed through the Greater Lewes Foundation.

In the year ahead, McDonald hopes to grow program reach through increased funding. “Based upon participant surveys, we have a program that is needed and that works,” McDonald said. “The challenge now is to grow our base of funding so all those who need this service can receive it.” Donations can be made online at greaterlewesfoundation.org.